MAASAI MARATHON

They are here.....!

MAASAI MARATHON

LONDON, APRIL 2008

What ? Six Maasai Warriors will leave their remote village for the first time. They will fly from Kilimanjaro to London to run the London Marathon in their traditional clothes, with shields and sticks, to raise money for water for their village. They need your help.

When ? April 13th 2008

Why ? Two out of every three children in the village of Elaui die before the age of five, due to the brown water they drink.

Click here to view their dedicated web site.

Click here for videos: http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=gB1oqd7BvNA

 

 

Target?

The Maasai people are one of the last distinct tribes in Africa to retain their cultural identity. Their young men are proud warriors who are renowned for their physical strength, agility and ferocity in battle. Readily identified by their liking for the colour red, the image of a lean solitary figure decked out in red robes and elaborate beaded jewellery is one synonymous with East Africa.
 
Fiercely proud of their long and rich cultural heritage a young warrior would prove himself a man by tracking, running down and finally killing a fully grown male lion using only his spear.  Stories of the Maasai ability to cross huge expanses of the African savannah on foot, supplied with little or no water, are legendary.

Today, the Maasai continue, as they have done for centuries, to subsist as ‘pastoralists’ on the African savannah. Moving with their cattle through the bush, carrying only a spear, short sword and a stick they seek out fresh grazing lands and that most basic but vital of elements, water.

After years of drought the search for water has become increasingly more desperate. Initially it was the cattle that died, the very thing that the Maasai depend on to live. Now it’s the village Elders, the sick and of course the most vulnerable of all, the children. All for the want of something we all take for granted every day; clean drinking water.

In Eluai village, Northern Tanzania, a group of young warriors have realised that, in order to survive, they must do something. Led by Isaya, a bright and charismatic young man and one of only a handful of Maasai who can speak any English, they have decided to take on the responsibility of bringing clean drinking water to their village. The plan is to raise sufficient funds so that specialist engineers can be called in to drill deep bore holes to access possible subterranean water reservoirs.

The Maasai are not looking for charity, they are not waiting to be rescued from their plight nor are they asking for hand outs. On the contrary, these brave young have devised a pro-active solution to their problem. They aim leave their homeland for the first time in their lives to travel to London in order to attempt to capitalise on what Maasai warriors do best, …run long distances! 

To this end Greenforce have offered them assistance by securing places for six warriors to participate in next years London Marathon (2008) along with a Greenforce staff member to act as a Liaison Officer.

Retaining their pride and dignity they will run in the London Marathon as ‘Maasai’, wearing their traditional clothing, jewellery and shoes made from car tyres. They will be carrying their shields and sticks just as they would if travelling across their homeland. In addition for the first time in the history of the London Marathon they have been granted a special dispensation by Dave Bedford (Director of the London Marathon) to run without a numbered vest top, so that they may retain their cultural integrity.

Such courage and dedication to preserving their homes and lifestyles should not go unnoticed or unrewarded. Please support their cause by sponsoring these warriors in the London Marathon. One bore hole costs at least £20,000 depending on factors such as depth and geology. Please make a donation by clicking on the link below.

Remember,  all they want is…. water!

 

 

 

 

TARGET

The aim is to raise a minimum of £20,000 to cover their costs and build a fresh water bore hole for the village and surrounding area.

 

 

how are we doing?

TOTAL CURRENT DONATIONS: £19,643

TOTAL MINIMUM TARGET: £20,000

 

What can you do?

Greenforce is contacting companies for sponsorship, and many ex Greenforce Tanzania volunteers are creating a fundraising army to help bring the Maasai to the UK which will enable them to play their part in the project.

Do you have unusual fund raising ideas? Contacts who may help out? Are you available to help out during their stay or on the big day? Can you run too?

If you would like to contact someone about fundraising for the Maasai Marathon email maasaimarathon@greenforce.org, or pledge your support now by making a cash donation. Every penny will help make the project a reality.

 

 

 

More?

Greenforce has now received official confirmation from the London Marathon for their support. The London Marathon has kindly agreed to give seven places for free for the six Maasai and one running coordinator.

More information will be added to this site as this amazing adventure grows.

 

In the meantime check out Maasai Marathon on Facebook!

 

 

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED SO FAR:

Morvan Thompson, Kevin Hume, Dawn Webster-Smith, Jennifer Chapman, Carina Hessmer, Elizabeth Robinson.

£100 Peter-Paul Dirickx

£40 Judy Rutlidge -Smith

£20 Iain Savil

£5 Amy Ellison

£15 Clifford Harris

£100 Johan-Frank Dirickx

£10 Sajay Bhatt

£50 Charles Turner

£50 Julian Donald

£50 David Frieburg

£15 Joe Mahnall

£20 Sharon Moores

£4 Elizabeth Robinson

£1,000 Marcus Watts - Greenforce