This is an oldie but a goodie. We took the kids to the Sorwathe Tea Plantation. This photo might seem recent because one might notice the facemasks but this was in 2014 when you could wear a facemask on your head and be cool.
Hey everybody, we miss everyone! I am going to make this short and sweet. Just like my last blog in July, not much has changed in that everything has been changing constantly. Not much has changed in that the kids, and all of supporters are doing their best and keeping on keeping on. Not much has changed in that we are committed to the kids as much as ever.
I could try to explain the situation for all of the kids but I know it would only change again. Rwanda’s COVID situation has caused changes at every step that are still unfolding. I can tell you, for those kids who have not been in school, we have had a home teacher visiting daily to keep the kids studying well. Meanwhile, everyone is just getting by like all of us.
This is usually the time we do Run the 1 and I can’t help but think of the kids and all of my loved ones in California and around the world that have come together over the years. I know we will all come together again. So I just want you to know that I have nothing to ask of any of you this year. I am not asking any of you to run, walk, support, donate or anything. The kids will surely need our help in 2021, and Run the 1 will occur in some format. First, we need to understand what will be needed for the future, and of course, we will need to ensure everyone’s safety involved with fundraising.
Another oldie but goodie from 2015 at a parade. I am grateful how we have all stuck together then and since.
So I guess my one ask of everyone this year is for all of us to hold us in our hearts. I remember when I was getting ready to leave the Arroyo Grande Hotshots in 2015, friends of mine would ask me if I was still going to do the Run the 1. They had the kids in their hearts and they had the comradery of all of us coming together on their mind. This whole situation makes me slightly sad but the big picture challenges us to hold on to the bright truth. The truth is that because of our efforts for over ten years now (and of so many others too), we have been able to help set up Ubaka U Rwanda for success even during this pandemic. I hate to think of what would have happened years ago. Another truth is that I don’t think we could have had much more fun in doing all of that over the years. I have memories that will fill my heart for all my days. And the final truth I will bring up is the fact that because of all of this, we shall surely be at it again. The kids will need our support moving forward to some degree and my heart could use some refilling as well when this all works out. I hope you are with me too. And regardless, as always, I can’t thank you enough for working with us for so long, and I wish you and your family the best and safest holidays. More to come, Thank you.
KOMERA
Shaun Sullivan
This was a joke photo we made in 2014 for a joke gift we would give out to each other at the end of the season. However, I thought it was fitting for the holiday season too and it made me laugh! Pictured here are some of my our biggest runners over the years.
Christian drew a thank you card. You can see him thanking Evbode and Becky but he also took it upon himself to thank Run the 1 as well. I would wear the tank top so often that he must have grown to it. I can’t wait to see him again.