EthanolFreeStyle
My name is Johan Sundqvist. I'm the regional representative for East Africa of a Swedish NGO called IOGT-NTO Movement. We work all over the world to address alcohol as an obstacle to development. We support local organizations in many countries to address the poverty, lack of education, ill health, violence, accidents and underdevelopment of communities that follow with production and consumption of alcohol. As I live in Tanzania and work directly with our partner organizations in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda I've seen first hand the challenges, but also the amazing work that is being done with very little funds. We at IOGT-NTO Movement are among just a few international organizations addressing this issue, and finding funds for this important work is not easy.
If you want to know more about one of the amazing projects we at the IOGT-NTO Movement support, check out this video:
Rather than complaining, I thought, what can I do to raise some funds for our work?
In July 2002 I became the first person to swim across the freezing lake Vättern, the sixth largest lake in Europe. I was at the time the reigning Swedish Champion in Open Water swimming. Much has happened since - I've gotten married and now have two amazing kids. I've lived for more than 9 years in East Africa and been on countless adventures. 2015, I was among a small group that became the first people ever to paddle from mainland Tanzania to the island of Zanzibar. But less inspiring things have also occurred, I've had numerous surgeries to my knees, been in a severe car crash, and this summer I broke my ancle. And I've been sitting by my computer. A lot.
As the 15years anniversary of the swim across Vättern is coming up I thought to myself - Why not do it again, in early August 2017? While I'm at it, why not take the opportunity to put the spotlight on the great work done by IOGT-NTO and its partners in East Africa. And more importantly, raise some funds to the important work done. I'm absolutely certain that enough people are willing to chip in a few dollars, kronor, euro, pounds, shillings or whatever they have to see a 35 year old former swimmer make a fool of himself for a good cause, in the ice cold waters of Vättern.
One thing I guarantee: 100% of the funds gathered will go straight to the important work done by IOGT-NTO in East Africa. And how do I know that? Because I'm there, and my job is to make sure that happens.
//Johan
