When I creak out of bed at 5.30am on a weekend morning, preparing to run an ever-increasing number of kilometers, I have to constantly remind myself why I’m torturing myself this way. And that, dear reader, is to raise money for a project that I am incredibly passionate about. A project that is delivering tangible benefits – education, income, food security – alongside intangibles – hope, dignity – all on the tiniest budget imaginable. I can state all this with confidence, as I’ve worked closely with the project since its inception, and have been privileged to lend my support along the way. 

My friend, Khai Aye, grew up in a remote rural village in Chin State, Burma. She was the first girl from her village ever to graduate high school and completed her educational journey at a university in India where she currently lives. She uses the income she makes from her full-time job to support her sister's children, who live with her, and the wider Chin community. In her spare time, she works tirelessly to transform the lives of the people from her home village and the surrounding community. 

Since the 2021 military coup in Burma, rural Chin communities have been cut off from the outside world, facing military skirmishes, air strikes and natural disasters within their borders. Lacking the most basic services, no schools, medical clinics, electricity, or internet, and limited options to generate an income, these communities have been “hollowed out”, with only the very young and very old remaining. The young people either join the fighting or become economic migrants, at high risk of trafficking, to neighbouring countries. Both options are difficult and dangerous and leave communities lacking strong bodies to help with farming and other manual tasks. 

Khai Aye has a vision to change this for the community that she grew up in. The vision is for her people to be living well-educated, healthy, peaceful lives and for the children to have safe, secure options for their future. I am fully convinced that she will do this, and I will support her every step (quite literally) of the way…and so can you! 

My ask is that you consider sponsoring my half marathon. All the money I raise through this will go directly to the projects Khai Aye is running in her village and, in this way, bring hope to a small community in a forgotten corner of the world. These projects include: 

- The Way Maker Trust school launched in March 2025; since then, all children from the village have been enrolled and are enthusiastic pupils enjoying the first education they have received in over 4 years. But the school has reached capacity and children from neighbouring villages are unable to join. We are hoping to grow the capacity of the school in time for the start of the next school year but need funding to do so. 

- Vocational training: women (some even young teenagers) from rural villages are trained with sewing and business skills. They are loaned a starter kit of sewing machine and materials, so they can set up small tailoring businesses within their home to earn an income and help feed their families. 

- Clean delivery kits for pregnant women; there are no hospitals or clinics, so mothers deliver at home. The kits provide essential items to support the birth and new baby. 

In the future, Khai Aye is working to open a medical clinic in the village, create a variety of self-sustaining income generating opportunities and introduce better farming practices so all nutritional needs of the community can be met in an environmentally conscious way. The selfless commitment and dedication and ceaseless determination that she demonstrates in her everyday life is both humbling and inspirational. She is an amazing woman that I am proud to work alongside. Thank you for taking the time to read this far…please consider a donation!