Walking and Running to support worthy causes didn’t begin at ICS in the spring of 2010, this time simply marked the first event that would be held in an annual tradition. The first annual Walk and Run was organized to support the Ethiopian Children’s Burn Care Foundation (CBCF), and the outstanding work of Dr. Einar Eriksen. Our monetary goal was set at 100, 000 Birr, and quite frankly we had no idea how many people would show up to participate. Dr. Eriksen brought 8 past and present patients to participate with sponsorship from private donors in Norway. What a great day, we had well over 400 participants and ended up generating a little over 200, 000 Birr. In 2011 two additional organizations were supported, the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP) and Our Fathers Kitchen(OFK). All three organizations have an ongoing relationship with the students of ICS. The CBCF and OFK provide students with service-learning opportunities throughout the year, and the grade 9 students benefit greatly from the EWCP’s knowledge and guidance during the “Week Without Walls” in the Bale Mountains. Monetary goals for the run are no longer set, instead we count in terms of how much can accomplished as a result of the Walk and Run. The accomplishments for 2011 were; 35 burn care patients received treatment, 390 vaccinations were administered to protect Ethiopian wolves, and 9 children were able to eat 1 healthy meal every day for 1 year. 2011 was also the year when CBCF cofounder Hans Petter Shjelderup , inspired by the 2010 event at ICS, organized several local schools in Harstad Norway to hold the first walk and run. CBCF were able to raise 300, 000 Birr.
What will the 2012 Walk and Run bring? Well in a community as caring as ICS the answer is easy- Great things.
The walk and run organizing committee members thank you for interest and support.
Erik Hathaway Seppo Lahdeaho Derek Ferreira Traci Chanyalew
