Meet mum and teacher Pauline, originally from Uganda and now living in the Archdiocese of Southwark, an avid runner, Pauline completed the Brighton Marathon for CAFOD.
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Pauline, Brighton marathon runner from the Archdiocese of Southwark
I have always taken part in a charity event every year for the past 15 years. I did Race for Life (Cancer Research) runs for many years as my grandmother suffered from cancer. I have also done charity events for organisations that support families with autistic children.
More recently I am very aware of the devastating impact of war, poverty and climate change. CAFOD is now my chosen charity.
Doing a marathon just made sense. I like to make maximum impact in whatever I do.
I support CAFOD as a Catholic as this is the main agency through which we are able to show Christian love to others less fortunate than ourselves. CAFOD has operated in Uganda for 40 years and has had a positive impact on the local communities. I am very interested in the positive work they have done to empower girls and women.
The Karamojong are a pastoralist community who live in north-east Uganda. They have been severely affected by climate change. This region is semi-arid, and the warmer temperatures have made it harder for them and their animals to survive. Being a pastoralist community means that not being able to access water threatens their very existence.
CAFOD provided water pumps that have improved water access, sanitation and hygiene for this community. Easier access to water has eased the daily burden on women and girls and given families more time to focus on their livelihoods and education. These changes mean that girls are attending school more consistently, menstrual hygiene has improved, and communities are standing together to challenge harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and domestic violence.
Overall, the work of CAFOD and their partners has improved lives whilst collaborating with this community to preserve their traditional pastoralist way of living.
Whatever you give will have a life changing impact on someone. You will have a positive impact on humanity.
