Ellie’s Run for Africa 2007
Thirteen-year-old Ellie Ambrose of Nashville, Tenn., is not even in high school but has already helped hundreds of children, raising $40,000 so far to help children in Africa.
On June 23, 2007 (complete race details below), Ellie’s fundraising total will continue to climb as she hosts the third Ellie’s Run for Africa. Ellie’s Run for Africa is the God-given dream of a young American girl to help families and children in Africa. Combining educational efforts in area churches and schools with a 5K run and family fun day, Ellie’s Run for Africa raises awareness of and funding for Africans who struggle to meet basic needs such as health care, food, water, shelter, clothing and education.
Funds raised will primarily benefit the Calvary Christian School, a faith-based, 400-student school located in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Kibera, an area of approximately one square mile, is home to more than 800,000 residents and is afflicted with severe poverty, hunger and diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS.
To attend the school, each student is required to have eight school books, two uniforms and a pair of shoes – all at a cost of just US$25 per year. Ellie’s Run has provided hundreds of students with these necessities in years past. The school looks forward to the proceeds from this year’s event to prepare for their next school year.
So far, Ellie’s efforts have helped outfit hundreds of students for school, build four classrooms at the Calvary Christian School, and donate funds for medical supplies at Mercy Children’s Clinic in Kenya and the Living Hope Clinic in South Africa to help Africans suffering dehydration, malaria, starvation and HIV/AIDS.
“When I first saw the pictures of children in Africa who were living in tiny huts, without food, I knew I had to do something to help,” says Ambrose, who was 10 years old when she first heard a missionary speak at her church. “So I prayed about it and felt like I needed to start a race and a carnival to raise the money needed to make a difference. Since then, we’ve had two races, and I have visited the kids in Africa twice. And I know that the problems in Africa are not over. That’s why I think we need to keep helping these kids.”
Ambrose continues, saying, “It’s going to take more than just me to help these kids, so I want to invite anyone who wants to make a difference in Africa to join me at the race on June 23rd. Together, I hope that we can help make sure these kids in Africa can have at least the important things – like food, clothes and an education – that we have here in America.”
Expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees, the event will feature a 5K cross-country race, a one-mile kids fun run, cultural music and dance, educational activities and artwork, inflatable and other games, and refreshments.
More Than A Race
Ellie’s Run for Africa is the impetus behind the first-ever Ellie’s Run for Africa Heroes Fundraising Program and Essay Contest. Ellie’s Run Heroes are challenged to raise $250, $500 or $1,000, which translates to sponsoring 10, 20 or 40 children, respectively, at the Calvary Christian School.
Additionally, students at Nashville area schools are sharing their thoughts on how to act in the face of Africa’s crises through the Essay Contest.
“Because of Ellie’s vision and willingness, the students at our school have come to embrace and respect what it means to help someone other than themselves,” says Rhonda Smith, the middle school principal at Christ Presbyterian Academy where Ambrose attends school. “Our students truly respect Ellie, and are looking for ways to get involved not only in Ellie’s Run but also in other aspects of serving their communities.”
Barrett Ward, who represents African Leadership, the Franklin not-for-profit organization that first presented Ambrose with the images of Africa through its president, Larry Warren, agrees with Smith.
“Ellie is an example of the way our hearts should be geared toward the poor,” he says. “She is inspiring others in the Nashville area to think about Africa in a whole new way. I have personally taken her to the school in Kibera, and she is truly passionate about making a real difference in the lives of these children.”
Details
Details for Ellie’s Run for Africa 2007 are as follows:
Date: June 23, 2007
Time: Registration 6:30 a.m.
5K Race 7:30 a.m.
Kids one-miler 8:30 a.m.
Entertainment 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Location: Percy Warner Park, Cross-Country Field
Corner of Hwy. 100 and Old Hickory Blvd.
Race Mgmt.: Nashville Striders
For more information, or to register or make a donation, please visit www.elliesrun.org.
