New Around the Mission

Running for Clean Water in Rwanda

November 28, 2010

Hundreds showed up to run the 5K through the picturesque North Hills East neighborhood of Raleigh, NC.

The forecast predicted clouds and rain, but on Saturday, November 13, most of the Rwanda 5K Relay Challenge runners in Raleigh, North Carolina, donned sun glasses. Gathering in Church of the Apostles' parking lot under clear blue skies and cool temperatures, they not only enjoyed a perfect fall day running through the North Hills East neighborhood, but each step also raised money for a health center serving 30,000 people in Gikomero, Rwanda.

In the summer of 2009, a team from Church of the Apostles in Raleigh met members of their sister parish in Gikomero, Rwanda, for the first time. In January of this year, Bishop Jared Kalimba who oversees the Rwanda parish travelled to Raleigh for a reciprocal visit. During his time there, the church learned about the need for clean running water to properly serve patients at the health center.

Young participants helped raise funds by entering the Kids Dash.

Currently, the Rwandan health care workers walk miles to gather and carry small amounts of water back to the center, a monumental task given the volume needed to serve its 30,000 patients. Church of the Apostles has taken on the challenge to raise $40,000 needed to provide a fresh water well.

“As we thought about what we could do to raise the money, we wanted to plan an event that would involve the community as well as the church family,” explains Joey Menendez, event coordinator.

Church of the Apostles planning team for the Rwanda 5K Relay Challenge.

Two hundred entrants and numerous corporate sponsors participated in the 5K challenge, the kids dash and a fun run that raised $20,000 for the clean water project. “Our goal was to raise $6,000 because this was our first time doing this kind of fund raising event,” shares Joey. “We were thrilled with the outcome and the exposure in the community.”

In today’s economy, pockets don’t go very deep, but the response of the Raleigh community to help others in need shows that peoples’ hearts remain full of generosity despite their own circumstances.

Want to know more:
Watch the Church of the Apostles promo video.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action