From Cairo to Cape Town: Joe's 11,000km Mission to Make a Difference
Changing the world is no easy task, especially when that task is to run from Cario to Cape Town.
It all started in South Africa. At the end of a church service I heard about an orphanage that desperately needed funds. Looking around, I wondered who will help? Who had the money? Passionate about the continent I live in, I wanted to make a difference to African children's lives by improving their futures and giving them the best opportunities.
I decided that I would run the 274km from our congregation to the orphanage. The idea seemed ludicrous, but my father and grandfather supported it. Soon enough I set off to help the orphanage. It's the hardest thing I've ever done - so far. The run pushed my physical limits, reduced me to tears at the side of the road, and made me question so many things about life. When I reached the end, all of this disappeared. I knew that I made a difference.
I was hooked. I completed two more long runs for similar causes. Despite this, I still needed a push to continue pursuing my passion. Sadly, a friend of mine lost his fiancé in a horrible cycling accident. She was passionate about a water project that she set up in Ethiopia. In 2009 I attempted to swim the English Channel for Vicky’s Water Project. It was cold and difficult, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
Inspired and searching for more, I had the idea to run from Cairo to Cape Town, marking the birth of RunAfrica. Starting on the 1st August 2015, this journey will take me 11,000km across 10 countries over 18 months. This endeavour aims to improve education for African children through Warwick University in Africa, improve access to cleaner water through Water Aid and make it easier for kids to get to school through World Bicycle Relief.
Written by Joe Labuschagne.
Visit www.joelabuschagne.com and click on the Support tab to help Joe make a difference to the lives of children in Africa. There are plenty of ways to help, you can even run with Joe! Follow the cause on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
