I Go 100

It's REAL!!

Introducing the new school in Guipombo, Mozambique – thanks to all of you who have, and who will, sponsor my 100km row on June 19. Here is a photo of the school under construction. It's surreal to comprehend that this is happening already.

Guipombo is one of two communities in Plan Mozambique’s Inhambane Programme Unit.

There are two school projects underway in the Inhambane Programme Unit:  Magaiça and Guipombo. Magaiça was the first Plan-affiliated community to implement an education project of this size, and there have been many lessons learned that will be applied to the implementation of the school in Guipombo.

Project challenges include things that we take for granted – such as a lack of water. Water shortages delayed the mixing of concrete and posed a health and safety concern for workers labouring in the hot sun without proper hydration.

As the primary duty-bearer for service delivery, the Mozambique government’s rural water department has committed to constructing wells in the province where Magaiça and Guipombo are located.

The construction of these new schools will act as leverage to ensure the delivery of this service and the communities are currently in discussion with government representatives to prioritize their water wells. Plan will continue to monitor the situation and work with all stakeholders. If the government does not follow through in a timely manner, Plan Mozambique staff will look for alternative options to address safe water supply.

One of the great things about Plan is their commitment to sustainability. They ensure the success of a project such as this by making sure water wells are constructed.

Here are some of the children who will be attending this new school.

“The excitement from the children was so
touching. The classrooms they are currently
using are very basic – they sit on the sand and
shade is provided by coconut leaves thatched
together. In the searing temperatures, the
environment is not conducive for learning and
hence it was easy to see why the children are so
enthusiastic about the new classrooms. The
motivation to attend school will even be great
and something to look forward to each day.”
Agostinho Jorge, Plan Mozambique’s Inhambane Programme Unit Manger, while visiting the Guipombo School

These are the faces of the future.

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If you are in the Ottawa area on April 15, mark your calendar for a Night of Comedy show and Silent Auction, with proceeds going to the igo100 fundraising campaign.

This fun event has been created and coordinated by Lynn Smith, one of my good friends who decided to give me a hand in moving closer to my $40,000 goal. I am very thankful to Lynn for doing this, and she is doing an amazing job – with numerous excellent items up for bids, and an evening of entertainment lined up for your enjoyment. Tickets are $15.00 and the show starts at 7:00pm.

The location is at Absolute Comedy, 412 Preston Street, Ottawa, Ontario. I'm going to try to be there, depending on some logistics – I live about 3.5 hours away (flying time).

To contact Lynn for tickets, please send her an email at lynn@igo100.ca

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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