Maasai Warriors to run London Marathon

Six Maasai Warriors from Tanzania have got the backing of UK-based Aim 4 Africa in their quest to raise up to £60,000 to bring essential drinking water into their village. The six Maasai Warriors, who will be running in the London Marathon on April 13th, have got the extra driving power that they will need with the help of running shoes made out of recycled vehicle tyres and their rubegas (bright red garments)!

In Tanzania after years of little rain the search for drinking water has become increasingly desperate – a commodity that most people in the UK take for granted. As a result of this six Maasai Warriors from Eluai village in Tanzania have decided to take matters into their own hands and raise the money that will ensure their village has a constant supply of clean drinking water. The money raise will be used to pay local engineering companies and other organisations involved to help bring water to Eluai.

Greenforce, the not-for-profit charity are the organisers of the project to raise sponsorship for the Maasai Warriors. It was inspired after Paul Martin from Greenforce spent a year living with the Maasai Tribe in Tanzania. Commenting on how it came about Paul says;

“The young warriors were enthralled and amused by the idea that money could be raised just by running and as the Maasai pride themselves on being strong runners it was not long before they approached me, asking if they also could run in a marathon.

“My first response was to ask 'why'. They responded immediately with unified determination ‘for clean water!’. My second response was a resounding ‘Why not?’”

Running in the London Marathon the group will certainly look distinctive and hope that this will help raise the profile of their project even further. In addition to running shoes made from car tyres they plan to wear traditional Maasai clothing and jewellery. They will also be carrying the shields and sticks that they use whilst travelling through their own lands in Tanzania and Kenya.

Aim 4 Africa are proud to be sponsoring the runners and they are looking to raise the profile of the project so that other companies and individuals can get involved and make donations.

Commenting upon their decision to sponsor the runners in the London Marathon, Nancy Cutinha, director at Aim 4 Africa said: “We are very passionate about Tanzania. It is a country which is close to my heart as I was born there, growing up with the Maasai and other tribes around Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru. As an organisation we offer bespoke, responsible holidays to Tanzania and we want to continue to do that in the years to come.

“We take our responsibilities and commitments to local community developments seriously. We believe that for people to continue to travel to Tanzania and other countries in East Africa, we have to work with local people to improve their lives and in doing so make these superb destinations a better place for visitors and local people as well.”

Aim 4 Africa is not making a single pence in profit from this project - on the contrary, they have made a small donation to the cause and are also endeavouring to reach out to as many people as possible so that the plight of these young brave warriors is rewarded. Think about the change in culture, weather and the long distance that these warriors will be travelling to compete in the marathon with other athletes. If they can make that long journey from Eluai village to London, could you cheer them on and pledge your support with a small donation?

To find out how you can donate visit Maasaimarathon.org.