Only 2 Days To Go

 Excitement is mounting as we have only two days to go before Plett joins over 200 walks worldwide on October 17.

I have to tell you that I am seeing more every day, how the little bit each of us has to give, contributes to a Big Difference.

We are getting final preparations ready and would like to invite you all one last time.

If you haven't registered, just show up at the N2 bridge - Parking area outside Castleton in Plettenberg Bay at 10 am for registration there. Wear all black, bring a camera or camera phone and since we are walking 2,5 kms wear walking shoes. We will start the Walk by 11 am. There are still a few t-shirts available at R80 each. (As worn in picture below).

Join us to turn our stand for justice into a Walk For Freedom. We are the voice for the voiceless. United we will raise our voices so that the whole world hears our urgent call for action.

Please use the hashtag #WalkForFreedom on pictures you take and share them on all social media platforms while we are walking. Let's let our freedom cry be all that's heard throughout the cities we are walking in and across the internet on Saturday.

My son and I unloaded the water that was sponsored for the Plett Walk this afternoon. (Picture on right)

Thank you for your generosity Coca Cola - Bonaqua and Tsitsikamma Waters. Thank you Albert from Plettenberg Bay Pick n Pay for arranging the sponsors. And thank you to my precious boy who always helps so cheerfully and without my even having to ask. You inspire me!

We can't wait to see you there! If you can't be there you can still be a voice, share the pictures that will be online of the walk everywhere. Let Our Legacy Be Freedom!

Yours in Justice,

A Fellow Abolitionist.

All things marketing, social and official about the Plett Walk For Freedom

What an exciting week! It was my birthday week and have been baking, cooking, drinking copious amounts of tea and coffee to go with all the terribly unhealthy birthday treats. and being spoilt. Even amidst the normal daily routines and birthday fun, I have been getting a lot done...

• I have received my first box of marketing materials from the A21 offices in Cape Town
• Set up a Facebook event page
• Created an introduction video inviting people to the walk 
• Uploaded the intro video to YouTube
• Done some campaigning on Twitter
• Done some speaking about Human Trafficking and inviting people to join the Walk and get involved

Check out my volunteer t-shirts, our prayer guides, pamphlets and A21 Booklets..

You can visit the Plett Walk For Freedom Event page here or scan the QR code:

You can check out the introduction video here:


Please help us spread the word to reach as many people as possible, as The A21 South Africa Facebook Post said: No Awareness, No Change.

To donate to the cause please use the following link to pay directly to the A2 Plett Walk For Freedom Fundraising Page: donate

Remember to register for the walk in your city on the A21 website here

New South African counter-trafficking law

On Woman's Day this year we welcomed the news that trafficking for labour purposes, for the removal of body parts, for forced marriages or for any form of exploitation can be prosecuted. Previous interim legislation only covered children trafficked for sex, now protection is available to anyone irrespective of age or gender or type of trafficking. See more at Joy Digital Magazine

What wonderful news! I thank God for every step forward and will celebrate every victory.

More good news is that Hilton Worldwide have decided to remove porn in their hotels. This was after reviewing the facts and realising that Porn has a direct effect by fuelling the demand for sex trafficking, which then fuels the demand for human trafficking. See more at End Sexual Exploitation

If that wasn't enough to encourage you, wait until you hear this: I am very excited to say that we have finalised the route for our Walk For Freedom. Other plans have been put on the back burner while I was ill, but we are up and running again and it feels good to be progressing. Resources are being distributed, the word is getting out, people are signing up and even more people are becoming aware and prepared to take a stand.

If you are yet to sign up for the 2015 Walk For Freedom, raising awareness and funds to end human trafficking, you can do so now here: A21 Walk For Freedom

To donate funds towards this amazing cause, you can click here: A21 End Human Trafficking

Thank you to every one of you that are joining me on this journey in whatever capacity. Together we will End It!

Flu 2 Me 0

So as is probably abundantly clear from the title of this blog post, I have the flu. My son and I have both been in and out of bed for 2 weeks and I am absolutely floored. I very rarely get sick. I have been focussing on eating healthier than usual and except for a chocolate binge as I was getting sick, I have been mostly successful. So why the prolonged bout of flu for the second time this winter?

I started wondering if starting a new exercise routine and diet change, coupled with an oddly large amount of stress, could have an effect. So here is what I found researching this query online:

Regular exercise can help prevent illness - Yes we know if you are fitter you are healthier. But what about starting new routines?

So I found very many people experience flu-like symptoms after exercise for a variety of reasons, sometimes with a new workout and sometimes not. Here are some of those reasons:

1. Dehydration - You need to keep well hydrated throughout your workout or you lose minerals.
2. Diet - Not eating enough healthy fresh foods to ensure you obtain all the necessary minerals.
3. Lack of supplements - To assist your diet as our foods aren't as mineral rich as we would like.
4. Overdoing the workout - Ensure you work at a pace that is challenging but not putting you back.
5. Probiotics - Are needed to assist keep your intestinal tract in balance.
6. Sleep - Or the lack thereof is very detrimental to your health. So get your 7 - 8 hours a day.
7. Then lastly, but probably a main culprit - Stress, even a moderate amount will put additional strain on your body so that working out will be more difficult. But working out helps relieve stress, so don't let that stop you.

So while flu-like symptoms could be experienced, it is most likely not the exercise routine that causes actual flu.

The only thing to do is just to try focus on fixing the first 6 points and push through, however slowly. We were taking probiotics with supplements and have recently not been doing so. I will remedy this and ensure that we continue to take them in future.

One thing confirmed in all sources is that you need to allow your body to rest and recover when you have the flu. So I just need to remember that while I am not working out during flu, slower progress is better than putting my body under strain and eventually becoming more sick. I really dislike being sick, so I will stick it out and can't wait to be back on track soonest.

And You Give Me Courage

So it's no secret I am a complete Geek. And last night I was watching The Hobbit with one of the volunteers who will be assisting me with the walk, (because she had never seen it before?!). Anyway, so this one particular scene played and I just about fist-pumped while jumping to my feet. The scene plays out like this:

The Lady Galadriel asks Gandalf: "Mithrandir, why the Halfling?"
And Gandalf answers:

And he ends off saying: "Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid and he gives me courage."

This was exactly how I have been feeling this week. While talking to people about the Walk For Freedom and about Human Trafficking Awareness in general, I often felt people feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem. I feel the need to constantly reassure them and myself that the truth of the matter is exactly as Gandalf so succinctly put it.

I also want each and every one of you to know, that when I feel overwhelmed, I look at you. Ordinary folk, each keeping the darkness at bay with small every day deeds. And you give me courage.

The Sum Of Every Small Victory Is How We Will Prevail

God knew what he was talking about when He looked at man and said that it is not good for him to be alone. We all need people in our lives. People in our immediate family circle: spouses, children, parents, siblings. Then our beloved chosen family: our friends. And in our work or hobbies or chosen causes: kindred spirits. In other words: teams. 

I am getting more organised and more excited as people are coming alongside me for this years A21 Walk For Freedom, the local campaign that has sprung up around this through the local Mayor's office and the further campaigns spreading through the volunteers to churches and schools and forums.

I am registering to start an A-Team, so I am able to officially represent The A21 Campaign outside of just hosting the Walk For Freedom. With this designation I will also have access to resources such as presentations, material and when necessary any other backup necessary from the nearest A21 satellite office.

I have also through my meetings and starting to spread the word acquired a few volunteers already to spread the load. 

It is very exciting to be moving forward with plans and to know that this is a fire that we are spreading and will set the world ablaze until slavery in every form is abolished. This might seem inconceivable in the face of the facts: With over 27 Million trapped in slavery today and another person being trafficked every 30 seconds. 

But this is not a single battle we are engaged in, it is a war. And it is the sum of the "small" victories that will cause us to prevail.

Every single person that is educated is another "small" victory. 

Every single share of tweets linking to this blog and blogs like it, is another "small" victory. 

Every cent donated towards campaigns such as The A21 Campaign is another "small" victory. 

Every prayer sent out is another "small" victory.

Every law that is amended or put into place to combat trafficking is another "small" victory.

Every conviction in court of traffickers is another "small" victory.

Every article in the media about human trafficking is another "small" victory.

Every volunteer that signs up to help in any capacity is another "small" victory.

Every person rescued out of slavery is another "small" victory.

Every meeting called to address the issues of slavery is another "small" victory.

Every letter written or care package sent to survivors is another "small" victory.

Help me by doing everything you can today. Help the victims. Help prevent future victims. 

Will you join us? Join a team, because together we can make our legacy be freedom.

Find out how you can help today: 21 Ways To Help

Sign up for the annual Walk For Freedom on 17 October in your city: Walk For Freedom 2015

If there isn't one in your city, host one! Get your family, friends and fellow Abolitionists involved to help you, just do it today. 

Help me reach my fundraising goal and donate, share the link on your social media for others to donate, or even set up your own fundraising page: Fundraising

So Much More Than Just A Silent March

Each walk that will happen around the world will leave a deafening silence with the echo of footsteps. I declare that each footstep will walk straight into the hearts of those yet ignorant, and move them to want to do something about the plight of human trafficking victims. I trust that every person reached will in turn reach out to others. I pray that the funds raised will have an effect that will ripple out and grow, and grow, until it engulfs the whole planet.

Just as with our walk in Plett, I know that our silent statement will stir our neighbours to take their first steps to end human trafficking in our lifetime. When I approached our Mayor and his office to get their public support for this walk, I was so encouraged by every single person's willingness to help in any way possible. I have not only received their assurance of support at the Walk, but we are working together to host the actual event. And if that wasn't enough, together with individuals from other departments in our area, a whole awareness campaign is being planned. These individuals form part of committees or fill positions that are outside of their job description. Beyond law enforcement, social development, youth development, Forums and Mayoral offices. They work with all shape and forms of vulnerable; such as domestic abuse, woman in need, children and youth at risk and more. They do this because their hearts were stirred to help in any way they possibly can.

When working with victims, even if it's just the statistics of what is happening today, it is easy to lose faith in humanity. I am in awe and so grateful for knowing and being able to work with people whose hearts are so big. It encourages me to believe that the more people we reach, the more people will join the cause. 

I have another big week coming up meeting more representatives of other town's and government departments and planning. I go with assurance that God has prepared the way, because it is His will that the captives are set free. He loves every single person on this planet and I pray that through all this work we do, we all are all filled with that same love for each other. This is my motivation and though we all differ in many ways, this one thing is all that will bind us: Love.

If you have yet to join a walk on 17 October in your city, register on the A21 website here. If there isn't a walk near you, host one :) 

If you cannot make the walk but wish to contribute, please donate here. 

 

Let Our Legacy Be Freedom!

Greetings Fellow Abolitionists!

This year I have decided to host the Walk For Freedom on 17 October for A21 in my home town, Plettenberg Bay.

This is to heighten awareness of modern-day slavery. This most heinous crime is unacceptable. I will not stand for it on my watch and I am sure you feel the same, which is why you are reading this now.

Every step taken on the walk, every post online, every cent donated is an action taken to end human trafficking in our lifetime. So every little bit you do and donate here is counted toward this aim and appreciated.

I have set up a fundraising page with a goal of $1000. Any amount, however big or small is appreciated and makes a difference. To donate please click here

You can register for the Walk For Freedom in your city, or if there isn't one, host your own! Register today, click here

Expectations Versus Reality

I have been training about half as much as I'd like to this last month and I have thought about this a lot. I really wonder if my expectations need to be addressed here. It is great to give it your best, but what if your best isn't what you imagine it should be?

For the sake of argument, though I wish to train daily for a minimum of 30 minutes, perhaps every other day is not an unreasonable compromise. I only fear I run the risk of becoming demoralised if I continue to fail to meet my own (admittedly rigid and high) expectations.

Hmmm. So while I decide on this conundrum there is one other issue I need to address. In previous years I didn't do any strength training, so when I started this programme I have added it. Only now it seems to have replaced cardio. I really need to balance it out a bit more, regardless of the number of training sessions a week. So from here on out, I alternate my training sessions between cardio and strength.

I also am not getting much Krav Maga done as yet, perhaps when I add that and the dancing I will be back up to training more days than not. Food for thought. Nonetheless, onward and upward. If I am moving along at a snail's pace, it's better than not moving at all.

So I found this funny picture which accurately depicts how I'm feeling at the moment and I just had to share it..

Plettenberg Bay Walk For Freedom, here we come..

I am so excited about getting involved and hosting this event. If I am on here sporadically, it is because we are progressing faster than I believed possible! I thank God that He has prepared the way, as everything is falling into place. 

Everyone I speak to asks how they can assist, offers to arrange or provide something! My heart is overflowing. I am blown away by the quality of people in my home town and it makes me so proud to be a part of this community. 

I met with the Mayor's office and they are not only going to support the event but come alongside me and be a part of the hosting. 

We are finalising the route details to get the permit issued and once that is done we can get it registered on the A21 website, which I am getting help for from my extremely helpful local A21 office :) Thanks Gilbert from the Cape Town office! 

I am not only going to be inviting people to the Walk, but will be going out to the churches, schools, business forums and associations and raising awareness by sharing material, speaking with key persons and presentations. 

I have been invited to speak at a few events, not because I am an expert or an accomplished public speaker, but because it's my heart to raise awareness and assist by, for example, hosting the Walk For Freedom. I most certainly hope and pray that my introduction will open doors for further education and inspire more people to get involved too.

So here I go to sort out marketing materials and polish up presentations. In the mean time please check out this TEDx talk by A21 Global Operations Manager, Philip Hyldgaard, on human trafficking. Remember to share it so we can spread the word online.

Progress

I have been somewhat absent online for a while. I needed some time to focus on work and study deadlines. Then a little break to relax and spend time with family. All very important things and though it was good, I did miss this blog. I was also not completely remiss in my workouts, though I have been less than half as active as I would like.

I have also not been idle regarding my progress on the A21 "Walk For Freedom". I have collected all the information I need from the website and corresponded with my local municipality regarding the permit for permission to host the event in my town.

I am very happy to note that I have also been corresponding with the Mayor's office and they not only support the cause, but we will be meeting as he wishes to support us and even give a short address to highlight the importance of events such as these.

I have also been planning and scheduling meetings to invite and discuss the Walk with various other key people to ensure maximum exposure in our area.

I am super excited now that things are starting to take shape and I invite you to register today for the Walk For Freedom in your city:

• SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA  
• SOFIA, BULGARIA
• THESSALONIKI, GREECE 
• STAVANGER, NORWAY 
• CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA 
• KIEV, UKRAINE 
• LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM 
• UNITED STATES 
• OTHER LOCATIONS

If you don't see yours here, follow the link to find out more: A21 Walk For Freedom

Mountain Highs and Valley Lows

So I'm into my third week and this is the first time I'm feeling less than super-psyched. My first valley. It really sucks coming down from the mountain high, but I am determined to navigate this valley to get back up there!

 
I don't hate anything I am doing, it's just the first moment where I feel like I am so far away from any real change and tangible results. And I choose to recognise that is true, but I am so much closer to those results than I was three weeks ago, and if I falter I won't reach them at all.

So to help me get through this I find myself analysing where I am with my goals so far and where I am not. Perhaps a few ways to help me would be shifting some focus or changing things up.

I have been running and doing strength training on alternate days, with one or two days a week off.

Maybe I will do short update posts with my Quest levels, just to have it for posterity. Well maybe not quite that far ahead, but at least for my own reference :)

I feel it might be time to level up on my strength training. I will take time this week to check out the more advanced workout on NerdFitness.

Also since I haven't been studying much my Temptation-bundling with that hasn't been happening. Although the socialising and exercising bundle is going strong. So focusing on my study schedule this week to get going by next week will also help.

I also think a bit more focus on shifting daily eating habits to healthier options is another thing I can focus on. I usually only buy rye and wholewheat bread but to cut down on consumption of grains I have found a recipe for coconut bread to have as a replacement option. Thanks Coconut Mama for the recipe. Also doing things like planting more vegetables and herbs in our backyard, which I am already using. Roasting pumpkin seeds (yum) and focussing on buying more viable "paleo" snacks for those moments when you're hungry and need something to keep you from making a terrible choice like burgers and fries.. I do, of necessity, have a cheat day and that has worked well for me. So there is no guilt when I really do feel overwhelming urge to indulge, and I'm back on track by next day without setbacks.

So overall just sticking to little changes daily, trying to schedule as much exercise as I can daily and implementing stiking-to-it-iveness. Yes I know its not a word but I got a badge with that (or similar) name from Khan Academy and like the sound of it :) 

A shout out to my now-over-300 Twitter followers, it really helps me connecting with people. And to you reading this blog. I might not know you, but writing this for you keeps me focussed too.

Then lastly, and probably most importantly, I will keep up the focus on the amazing work The A21 Campaign does. And remember how this might be a long term project, but when I get to do the Comrades to raise awareness for them.. What a great mountain high that will be! A smaller and attainable sooner high will be taking part in the Walk For Freedom.

There wasn't one in my area last year and there doesn't seem to be one this year either, so I have decided to host one and this has me flying out of the valley already :) By the time I get my application done I bet I'll be soaring over the mountain tops! You can support this amazing stand by joining a walk or if there isn't one near you, do what I am doing and make it happen!

My Goal: The Comrades Marathon

"Comrades 2015 belonged to South Africa." This is the headline on a News24 article and it's so true! Another is: "Clean sweep for SA at Comrades" says another on EyeWitness News.

Wow. This is what I actually said when I heard the news, that not only did a South African, Gift Kelehe, place first yesterday in Overall and Men's, but we also had Caroline Wostmann representing in the Ladies' division. What a Proudly South African moment. The twitterverse was buzzing with all the tweets and the whole country was on that high that comes from such a momentous occasion when it seems that anything is possible.

It was also extremely motivating for me to keep up with my training.. Which I did, all weekend!
So my 2nd week started Sunday and I've completed a strength & a cardio training session. I will also put some time in Dancing today, it's basic dance but an hour and a half training session is good.

The weather forecast for the whole week is cold and rainy, but nothing is stopping me! I'm bundling up and heading out rain or shine.. See you on the flip side.

Week One Done and Dusted

So I've completed my first full week of exercising and I am getting more and more motivated every day!

A friend gave me a PowerPlate machine that she has in storage and just doesn't use. It's so impressive how it will help my existing stretching and strength routines. It doesn't add time to my workouts, only effectiveness. And if that isn't enough it has added bonuses of increasing circulation, weight-loss and reducing cellulite.

Aside from just completing workouts, my other NerdFitness quests this week were:

• Take a before photo - Check

• Change my thinking to see workouts as gaining points for skills - Check. My points stand as follows:

1. STA (Stamina) + 3 
2. WP (Will Power) + 6 
3. STR (Strength) + 3 
4. DX (Dexterity) - Will start incorporating this training next week.

• Make one dietary change for the better - Check.

1. Drinking 2 litres of water a day, by drinking a glass of water before other drinks and meals.

• Temptation Bundling - Check

1. Socialising + Running: Arranged to start running with a friend from next week to do socialising while exercising. 
2. Studying + Exercising: I have a brutal study schedule at the moment, so doing exercises like squats while watching the video portions mean I study and train.

What a first week and next week will only be better with the measures in place to be even more effective.

Aside from twitter and this blog I have also spoken to people (in real life) about how I'm integrating my desire to raise awareness for The A21 Campaign with my new work out routine. It is a great way to introduce people to the very real problem of human trafficking and how we can use our everyday lives to help.

In Her Shoes

Up until now I have talked about what I was going to be doing without going into any detail about why. Today I'm sharing what motivated and moved me to be doing this.

I only started really becoming aware of the plight of trafficked victims when I had names and faces to superimpose on the impersonal idea I previously had of trafficking. It's sad really that we are so inundated with so much bad in the world that often we shut off everything until something breaks through our defenses and affects us somehow. We are shocked out of complacency or ignorance and only then can respond. It was over 10 years ago and I knew someone who told me what he had found speaking to women who worked at a strip club.

They told him how they were lured with adverts in newspapers for work in another country in the Hospitality Industry. They applied for jobs, went for interviews and then when their flight landed they learned the truth of their situation. They had been recruited by the Bulgarian or Russian or some other Mob! Their passports were taken from them and they had to "work" by prostituting themselves to "buy" them back. Seems simple enough to just go to the police right? Wrong. They were drugged, raped, their lives were threatened and then their families lives were threatened. The Mob had their family member's details from the job applications. So a cycle of abuse, drugs and fear ensued. 

Eventually some got away, maybe they became too old or bought back their freedom somehow. But by then they didn't feel they would ever be able to face their families again. They were broken and hollowed out by the abuse and didn't feel worthy of a new start. They couldn't find a sliver of hope to believe that they could even start again. They turned to stripping, which to their mind was better than prostitution, because how do they account for a gap of years and skills in their CV applying for another job?

I was blown away. Then I did what no "good" girl would and went with him to the club to meet some of these women. At first I was extremely uncomfortable and having to refuse a lap dance or three didn't help, but then I ended up spending quite a while chatting to some of the women about their every day lives. 

 I quickly forgot the surroundings and having a dance background we discussed issues only a dancer would understand, like the joys and pains of choreography, music and injuries. Some had children, some couldn't because of complications from forced abortions in the past. Some even had relationships, I don't know why I was surprised by this, but I was. What was not surprising was that the relationships were toxic. One young woman had gotten out of prostitution and was clean, off all drugs. But when her new boyfriend, who still used drugs, complained that she was always too tired after a night of working at the club to keep him happy, she started doing drugs again to up her energy levels and save the relationship. Sounds ridiculous until you realise that this is someone who suffered years of abuse and had no sense of self worth and just wanted to hold onto what little affection she had in her life. 

As I sat there talking to these women I realised that despite their tragic circumstances, they were just trying to pick up what pieces of themselves they could and make some sort of life. I also realised that society was not helping them much at all. That was one of those days when I was changed, in one of those ways that takes years to discover exactly the depth and nature of the change.

So this is turning out to be quite a long post, but that is when I came face to face with this injustice and have had a heart to help these victims ever since. I have always wanted to do more to help than my circumstances this far have allowed, which is how this project came to be. 

If this is your first visit to my blog, check out my first post here to read all about my "Walk In Her Shoes" experience inspired by The A21 Campaign. You can go check out their website, they have a list of 21 ways to help. Everyone can contribute somehow: whether it's to write a letter, raise awareness or donate money, every little bit counts. This is a video clip from their website called "In Her Shoes"

I'm loving it

So am I pumped after finishing my first strength training exercise session today? Day 4 of my Nerd Fitness programme and having a blast!

Yesterday I chose my character: a monk :) This was an easy choice since I am doing Krav Maga, which strictly speaking isn't Martial Arts, but it is contact combat so it's essentially the same physically. 

I completed another 20 minute "Run" yesterday, although according to my programme it's still speed walking and not running yet. 

Then I just have to mention that I have been meeting lots of amazing people on my twitter account (@mywalkinhershoe). So I want to take a moment to say a sincere thank you to everyone supporting me and our cause to stand against the injustice of human trafficking. 

To all the individuals who make up The A21 Campaign and all the other organisations involved with this worthy cause: Thank you and we will not stop until every last human being is free!

Changing Daily Routines

So how to get fit from scratch? Not sure what to do or where to start so Googled it :)

I found a running routine for beginners, which I believe will be a good start. I don't want injuries but I want to see some sort of measurable results.

I started my first 20 minute "Running" session yesterday.

I also found this site called Nerd Fitness which I believe might help me. I am a real nerd and I just had to smile and will enjoy it all more when I get Quests, a cool Character and advice with lines like: "YOUR FIRST QUEST: Find time to go for another 10 minute walk today, and repeat the process tomorrow. You did it yesterday, why not make it two days in a row? If hobbits can walk to Mordor, you can walk for a few minutes around the block, right?"

There was more advice about slowly changing diet habits, so over the weekend I have now made my first meal of the day a bowl of oats. I now want to start drinking a glass of water before drinking or eating anything else, to increase my water intake.

I have danced my whole life,  modern, choreography, worship, ballroom, latins.. Just about everything. So I will be refreshing some of my dancing skills for extra exercise: core, strength, cardio, etc.

Then last but certainly not least, last year I started doing some basic self-defense training with a friend but he has now moved away. Sadly there isn't anyone in our area that offers Krav Maga classes, but we'll just continue using a DVD set I received, called Ultimate Krav Maga. I will train with my son using a punching bag, the DVDs as instructions and the basic skills we have learned so far.


I like to have tangible goals with steps to achieve them, so this is the outline of my plan. I will run every other day and alternate days I will do dancing and Krav Maga, with one day a week off.

I'm super excited and have also set up a twitter account for My Walk In Her Shoes experience. You can follow @mywalkinhershoe for updates of my blog and tweets about raising awareness for the 27 Million Slaves in the world today.

In the beginning...

So I have had the idea for this blog and this project for a while. I have thought about it and dreamed about it and deliberated and finally I feel ready to start. Not because everything magically fell into place, but because it didn't. I realised that I will need to "just do it" :) Yes that was a Nike reference, for no other reason than it's punny.. I will have lots of those and just so you know: I am not even sorry.

So Here Is The Plan:
 
  1)  To get fit

  2)  Run the Comrades 

  3) Keep a blog diary of the whole process to help raise 
       awareness, and hopefully, funds for the A21 Campaign.

Why Fitness?

I am completely unfit and really need to fix that. There are a variety of contributing factors to this state and I will probably mention some as time passes, but it's past time! I need to lose weight, build muscle and general fitness, all of it.I also desperately want to help make a difference for some people who really need it. I am naturally drawn to the A21 campaign, being a woman and a Christian.

Why The A21 Campaign?

Click on the above link for more information but shortly A21 is a non-profit organization who believes that together, we can end human trafficking. So under their list of "21 Ways To Help" two stood out for me: 11 is "Show Your Stuff" which suggests writing a blog to help raise awareness of human trafficking and 18 is "Walk In Her Shoes" which suggests using some sport activity to raise funds or awareness as well. Also where I got the name for the blog. There are others that I will also be incorporating into my life but this blog and my goal is linked to these two.

Why the Comrades?

The Comrades Marathon is the world's oldest and largest ultramarathon run over a distance of approximately 90 km | 56.1 miles between the capital of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban. Running this marathon is on my Bucket List, so I will be ticking that off along with another goal of contributing to a worthy cause. After a year or so of gaining general fitness, I will start a programme specifically to get Comrades ready. I will also start looking for sponsors to donate, for every km I run, towards the Campaign and just to raise general awareness through the publicity through the media.

So welcome and I hope and pray you become inspired to find your own "Walk In Her Shoes" experience.