Ethembeni School

On May 29th, we're going to run in the 86^th edition of the Comrades Marathon (90 km/56 miles) to raise money for Ethembeni School. Established in 1984, Ethembeni School serves physically disabled and visually impaired children from all over Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa), educating them to reach their highest potential and to become independent and responsible citizens of the community.

Ethembeni now has an enrolment of around 300 children all of whom board in hostels at the school. Most of the children come from rural areas and many of their parents are unable to pay the minimum hostel fees. Ethembeni\'s holistic approach emphasizes a balance between the intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social and development of each student. Students not only acquire knowledge and skills, but also develop self-esteem and mutual respect. They are guided toward taking up their rightful place in adult society as contributing citizens. Ethembeni promotes human rights and social justice.

The Comrades Marathon is the world\'s oldest and largest ultra-marathon run over a distance of 90km between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban in South Africa. The direction of the race alternates each year between the up run starting from Durban and the down run starting from Pietermaritzburg. This year is the "up" run.

The race was the idea of World War I veteran Vic Clapham, to commemorate the South African soldiers killed during the war. Clapham, who had endured a 2,700km route march through sweltering German East Africa wanted the memorial to be a unique test of the physical endurance of the entrants. The constitution of the race states that one of its primary aims is to \"celebrate mankind\'s spirit over adversity\". The first Comrades Marathon took place on 24th May 1921 starting outside the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg with 34 runners. It has continued since then every year with the exception of the war years 1941-1945. 

The name Ethembeni means "Place of Hope" and the motto Phila Ufunde "“ Live and Learn. The money you donate will go to desperately needed facilities and equipment. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. There is a fee of 5% of the money donated and we shall meet this 5% cost to ensure that 100% of your donation goes to the school.