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In 2017 the Run for Rwanda 5k reached its decade-long goal of completing construction of the Kibali Health Center. Thanks to you and many others like you, diseases like malaria are no longer a death sentence, mothers have a safe and clean place to deliver their babies, and hundreds of HIV positive Kibali residents ate now receiving antiretroviral medications that stave off the devastating effects of AIDS.

Starting last year, the run changed its focus to help fund the construction and operation of the Kibali Thriving Center, a multi-faceted community development and vocational training center. With so many Kibali residents being given a new chance at survival, this center offers programs to help residents rise above the crippling effects of poverty in which the average resident subsists on less than $1 per day.

This year marks another change in focus for the run. Event proceeds will continue to support the Thriving Center, which is already training 200 students in its inaugural welding, carpentry, tailoring, handicrafts, and masonry clasess. But we want to re-emphasize a key part of the vision from when the run was established in 2008: fostering the relationship between the people of two communities. When the International Anglican Church of Colorado Springs started the RFR as an event run simultaneously on two continents, it was as a way to gather together with our sister church 8,000 miles away. To help emphasize this relational aspect this year, we will be simplifying the race itself and reducing the focus on competition. Our hope is this will allow us to more fully celebrate the joy of running together with our brothers and sisters in Kibali, where the annual Run for Rwanda is the most significant community event of the year.

We are beyond grateful for the almost $200,000 raised over the past decade and what this has done to transform so many lives in Kibali. Our commitment to continue supporting our sister community’s efforts to break the bonds of crippling poverty remains as strong as ever. Our intention is simply to change our focus from fundraiser (running “for” Rwanda) to celebration of community (running or walking “with” our brothers and sisters half a world away). We’ve listed below some of the details of this year’s run in Colorado Springs as well as provided links to our website where you can find more information about the community of Kibali and the Thriving Center. Again, we thank you for being a part of this special event in the past and invite you to join us as we continue to foster a thriving and life-changing relationship with our brothers and sisters in Kibali Rwanda.

Murakoze,

The Run for Rwanda team