Hello!
It's happening!! In less that 12 hours I'll be heading out the door, hopping onto a plane to Toronto, then another straight to Ethiopia! I can hardly believe it. It's been the most spontaneous opportunity/adventure that has ever knocked on my door, and it's all thanks to my best friend, her lovely fiancé and my parents! AND my dear friends and brother for encouraging me to seize an opportunity to work in Ethiopia, for a NGO called Yaya Girls.
I agreed to go three weeks ago (after returning from a refreshing but rather scattered trip to B.C.), and have been racing to prepare for four months to teach and coach in rural Ethiopia ever since!
This is how I feel;
And I know, as soon as I get on the road I'll realize I've forgotten my handkerchiefs ^. But what the heck. I'm honoured to have been accepted and can't wait to meet my new teammates!
When I heard that the Yaya Girls are a NGO that focus on Female Empowerment through Sport, and that they wanted me to be the head coach (they're runners, of course), I was thrilled!! And then, nervous. Dead nervous. Hahah. But I'm stoked, I can't wait to step up to the plate. I'm bringing a compilation of workouts that I've collected and used over the years. I mean to use my workouts from High School; my favourites and the ones I flourished under, and I can only hope to emulate my High School & Uni coaches. I didn't understand then, but they were my greatest teachers- and the further I ran, the more I grew as a person.
It is this growth that the Yaya Girls are aiming for.
This is an excerpt straight from the Yaya manual, and it couldn't be more spot on;
"Running,
like so many other sports, has been shown to have an immense capacity to
empower youth in developing countries. The physical act of running
focuses on ones’ abilities, rather than disabilities, thus allowing runners to
form a sense of pride and ownership over their bodies as they become stronger and
pass through barriers that once seemed impenetrable. A running team
creates a safe space, in which runners can build confidence, practice teamwork,
assert their independence, and find friendship and mentors. A running
lifestyle teaches athletes the value of discipline, structure, and
responsibility to themselves and others. Last, healthy competition,
provides a place for runners to challenge themselves, feel empowered, and face
difficult obstacles (and the outcomes of obstacles) with grace and good sportsmanship.
And last, running is fun! Anyone who enjoys a good run before the start
of a day or at the end of a hard day’s work can understand the joy and freedom
of using one’s body and being outside with friends."
The Yaya Girls use a five pillar approach with the goal of creating a new-class of Ethiopian female role models that will promote gender equality in Ethiopia!! Talk about Girl Power!!!!! HOW fantastic!! (Also, I secretly can't wait to introduce them to Spice Girls...).
The five pillars include providing an average of four to eight young women a trimester with;
For those of you who know me, I used to be big into running. I competed during High School and University, and it was great- I was lucky to be on top teams every year, running under wicked coaches and racing allowed to me travel and meet loads of other interesting people. And while I may have taken it for granted at times; it truly was a blessing. However when I went away to study abroad in Ireland, while I did join the NUI Galway running team, I entered into an entirely different and equally cool non-athletic social group. Once back at Queens I had one last cross country season (2012), and I haven't competed since.
But boy, have I missed it. I miss the rush of hurtling around the corners of a track, chasing down fellow competitors like a lioness, or feeling the power in my legs as I push up a hill. I miss the feeling of passing out moments after crossing a finish line, with my eyes rolling into my head, leaving me momentarily blind. I always felt pretty hardcore when it happened; that's when you know you've given it your all. And then, I miss the complete carefreeness of a warm down jog- just running with the girls, cheering on other teammates and friends. I can't wait to meet the Yaya Girls and get my shoes back on.
AS soon as I figure out how to set up a donation site I will, as the project is still grassroots and relies on public/ volunteer funding to feed, house, pay for resources, as well as keep the girls secure! The project is a blessing, keeping these girls in a safe place where they can grow to reach and realize their potential, and I'm so excited to support them!!
And so, with that back story on both the NGO and my running experience (in a nutshell)- I hope you'll wish me well as I head off to Ethiopia! I've got last minute packing to do, phone calls to make, love to send, and I'm due for some tea and cuddles with my Mum :)
**If you're interested in reading more about the Yaya Girls, you'll find the Yaya Girls website, articles on the Yaya Girls, a Youtube Video and their Facebook page below!
I'll post again once I'm settled!
For now, all the best,
Steph xx
