Foundation for Children with Disabilities Sierra Leone

Dear friends,

On November 3rd 2024, I will attempt to run the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon to raise funds for children living with disAbilities in Sierra Leone.

This race is my first marathon attempt, a goal which seemed impossible only six months ago when I tore my hip labrum.

To run, and to live, without pain is an incredible privilege, one we mustn’t take for granted. It is for this reason, among many, that I am dedicating this race to children living with disAbilities — and I am asking for your support. It is my hope that we can generate enough funding to support at least a dozen children with the wheelchairs and crutches they need.

All the funds raised will go directly to the Disability Empowerment Movement of Sierra Leone (DEMSL).

• $60 will provide school supplies for one child for a year

• $120 will give crutches to a child in need

• $220 will get a wheelchair to a child who can't walk

• $60/month recurring gift through DEMSL website will support an individual child for a whole year. DEMSL will ensure your child gets regular meals, bedding, school supplies, medical care, and counseling.

These children live incredibly hard lives and any donation large or small will make a difference.

Thank you for your support.

See you on race day!!

Dec 3 is the UN Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Disability Empowerment Movement of Sierra Leone (DEMSL.org) has been bringing much needed support to children living with disabilities in Sierra Leone since 2019. DEMSL has provided wheelchairs, crutches, school supplies, and medical help to dozens of children. But there are so many more who need our help. Every dollar makes a difference. Please give today.

On June 16, I will be attempting a 30km ultra-marathon swim in New York's Hudson river, in support of the Foundation for children with disabilities in Sierra Leone. Here is why I am making this association.

Life can get so busy with ourselves, our loved ones and our professional and social circles. It is easy to forget that we share this planet with billions of people, some of them much less lucky than we are.

This foundation was introduced to me by my dear friend Louise, open water swimmer, who works at the World Bank. She is the board chair for this foundation alongside its inspiring CEO Eleanor, who stepped on a land mine in Sierra Leone and has since been devoting her life to helping other children never go through such terrible hardship.

I decided to associate my upcoming 30 km swim in New York’s Hudson river to Eleanor’s foundation. I will be swimming by the Statue of Liberty, celebrating freedom in our pursuit of happiness and caring for one another. Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising a total of $1,000 to benefit the Foundation for Children with Disabilities in Sierra Leone, and any donation will help make an impact towards achieving this goal. Thanks in advance for your consideration and your contribution to this cause. This means a lot to me.

Foundation's website