Some projects stay with you, even after many years.

Back in 2017, I came up with the idea of creating a bread oven for St Joseph School in Kilindoni, on Mafia Island, Tanzania.

Through Maisha Marefu, the association I’m part of, we’ve been organising an annual fundraising dinner for several years to support different projects. The bread oven was one of the projects we were able to fund with the money raised at the dinner.

The oven was built by local workers, and in February 2018, I travelled to Tanzania to light it for the first time, bake the first bread, and teach a local woman how to make bread for the children’s school lunch.

Almost nine years later, that same woman is still baking bread for the children. And that’s what makes this project so special to me: an idea that became reality and continues to make a difference today.

In February 2023, my wife and I returned and repainted the oven, as well as creating a wall decorated with the children’s handprints. Another beautiful memory connected to this project.

A few months ago, I saw how badly the oven had deteriorated and how urgently it needed repairs.

I’ve never stopped thinking about this project, and seeing the condition of the oven made me feel an even stronger desire to help bring it back to life.

So, I’ve decided to take on a new challenge: 100 km in a single day.

I’ll walk from Byron Bay, where I live, to The Bread Social in Currumbin, where I work. I’ll start early in the morning, aiming to reach the finish line within 18 hours.

Last time, I completed the same distance over three stages. This time, I want to push myself further and complete the whole journey in one go — maybe even trying to run a few kilometres along the way!

I’m taking on this challenge to turn my physical effort into something meaningful and practical. Every kilometre will bring me closer to the finish line, and every donation will help bring the oven one step closer to being repaired.

I’m asking my friends, family, colleagues, and anyone who believes in this project to be part of the journey. Every contribution counts, no matter how small. And if you can’t donate, sharing this post can help the story reach more people.

An idea became an oven. A skill was passed on. And today, that skill continues to help feed children.

Let’s give this oven a second life. ❤️

‍♂️100 km. One day. One community. One oven worth saving.

Thank you to everyone who wants to be part of this journey