TRAIL RUNNING
Nontu at one of the shoe handovers
The joy of a new pair of school shoes
Images : Courtesy CanalAventure . Shams , Ultra Asia Race , Marathon des Sables , World Marathon Challenge , Nontuthuko Mgabhi
The Big Handover
In the first week of May , with both the race and the fundraising now done , Nontu was able to head down to the Mseleni and New Era Primary Schools , and hand over the final pairs of shoes to reach her goal of 500 pairs . “ I am humbled and grateful to the generous donors who always believe in me and enable me to do what I love , while touching the lives of children in need in my own small way . I feel really privileged to enjoy this overwhelming support ,” says Nontu .
“ Martin Luther King Junior once said , ‘ Not everybody can be famous , but everybody can be great , because greatness is determined by service .’ This is a challenge for all of us , to find a way to serve , because as Oprah Winfrey said , ‘ Remember , you are not here to fix everything , you ’ re just here to fix what you can , to do your small part . All of us doing our small parts makes the whole .’ To say I am grateful is an understatement … Together , we have helped 500 children walk the distance .”
Looking back now at her run , Nontu describes the Ultra Asia Race as an extraordinary experience . “ Thanks to Canal Aventure for an unforgettable race and incredible adventure , and the platform to raise those 500 school shoes . Their events are always more than a race ... they are an experience , and an opportunity to reflect . For me , these races live beyond the finish life . They impact and change lives for a lifetime .”
“ Traversing 160km through the Vietnamese jungle , rice plantations , rivers , mountains and villages , carrying all I needed for the four days , it reminded me how little I need to survive , and even thrive . The minimalist mindset , heart-set and soul-set gets embedded , and I let go of what I don ’ t need , taking with me only what I need . It may be letting go of material stuff , or anger , greed , jealousy ... whatever it is that is weighing us down . You just need to let go , and take only what you need ,” she says .
“ Adventures like these allow me not to sleepwalk through my life . We only get one life to do the things we want to do , and this is what I want to do ! I have a career that is meaningful to me , and causes I am passionate about . I am on a mission while on earth ! My life is entangled in passions and missions , and it is my desire that all my actions , big or small , can give me meaning and help others . So , my heart is filled with joy and gratitude . Cảm ơn ... Ngiyabonga ... Thank you !”
Already focused on the next challenge …
The next challenge Nontuthuko has set for herself is the 220km Ultra Africa race in Mozambique from 12-16 November . To support her ongoing fundraising efforts , you can do so at www . backabuddy . co . za / primary-school-children .
Just some of the 500 happy school kids who received new shoes
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