Run the 1 (Rwanda 2023)

Hello! for those who have followed Run the 1 for all these years and know most of what is going on, this year is the most different since it's beginning. Run the 1 started as a yearly running event in California that spanned multiple days with runners punching in ultra marathons, marathons, half marathons, a mile here, and a mile there. It was a community of wildland firefighters, friends, and family. It was glorious. Alas, times change and things have to adapt. For a few years now, I have been trying to figure out how to evolve the event and continue to support the kids in Rwanda. I think this year is the beginning of taking what used to be and turning it into something new and special. It's not trying to be better and certainly not worse, but something we can hopefully do that will be just as special in a sustainable way. If you are interested in more of the history of Run the 1, I will be writing a blog on our charity website in the coming weeks going over the years. For now, check out the website for all the info you could ask for on the charity and kids. Www.ubakaurwanda.org

This year, I will be running in Rwanda for the very first time! I will not be alone either. Over the years, some folks have reached out to me about coming to Rwanda. Beyond that, as we have contributed to the kids and the growth of our land, and building of our home, I have yearned to share that with those who have supported us. It is one thing to read about it, but to experience it is another. This year I will be joined by seven other people, all supporters who have reached out in their own way about wanting to come to Rwanda. I am more than excited for them to see the kids so the kids can see there are more people behind this than just me. I also can't wait to see this become more real for our supporters and hopefully for their friends and family who have no doubt supported as well over all these years.

Truth be told, I am not making any of them run unless they wish to. And I am doing it while the kids are in school in the middle of the week. Which I know isn't as flashy, but I am not wasting one minute of my time with the kids running unless we are playing soccer! I don't have months to spend with them like before unfortunately.

The goals for this trip are to see everyone again first and foremost. I had been to Rwanda 12 consecutive years prior to the pandemic. Now it has been three years since I have seen everyone! And now I am bringing a group of visitors as well. I hope the trip leaves lasting impressions on the kids and visitors alike. We plan on bringing lots of donations for the kids, teaching classes, understanding their current circumstances better, sharing our experiences, and we plan on bringing them on a special field trip outside of the city that many of them have never or barely ever left. I also will run a marathon on Thursday 2/9/23. The run will be in honor of all our years of running and will be another statement of my commitment to the kids. I may be joined, I may not. I surely am not expecting it.

So if you got through all of that, here are the details.

My Rwanda Trip -

2/3/23 through 2/12/23

Marathon on 2/9/23 tentatively

Goal - $15,000

Donations go towards - Running costs and school fees for 2023 and 2024. Running costs take care of everything such as food, utilities, supplies, medical expenses, etc.

Who are the kids? - We have a home for street kids in Rwanda. Some are orphans and others have family that are not capable of taking care of them. Regardless, the kids are taken care of as if they are Evode and Becky's own. Evode and Becky are married and live at home with kids serving as the father and mother figures.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Monetary donations are the most helpful as much as it isn't fun to admit. But if you can or you can't, sharing this link to as many people as you think would want to help is a 2nd best. Please reach out to me with any questions you may have. I love talking about the kids when folks want to open up. As always, I like to say that anything is everything when it comes to helping.

Lastly, are you looking to join us one day in Rwanda? This trip is hopefully a starting point to continuing Run the 1 like this for years to come. After the trip, I will write about how it all went and will hopefully set a future date that folks can set their calendars to and plan for accordingly if they want to join me.

Lastly, lastly,

if you are still here, Thank you so much and much love and gratitude. More than I can ever properly display. And if I didn't state it above, these kids are amazing and I could never allow them to have to go back to the streets without an effort. Thanks for caring for them.

KOMERA (Be Strong)

Shaun Sullivan (Sully)