Women's 5k Challenge 2008

FYF had a fantastic team running in the Women's 5k Challenge on Sunday 7th September 2008.

The UK's biggest women-only fun run provided our team with the opportunity to show their solidarity with some of the poorest women in India and Malawi.

Congratulations to Sarah, Sophie, Kanom and Helen for running (and cycling) all the way to the finish line!

Photo: Sarah and Sophie, Women's 5k Challenge

Working with Women - Sarwantin's story

Sarwantin is a 20-year old woman from Useli, Chhattisgarh, India.

Her father died when she was a child leaving her mother to bring up five children on her own. The family owns just five acres of land and, even when harvests are good, there is barely enough food to go around.

Sarwantin says that she never went to school because there is no school in her village and "the nearest one is 10Km away - it's not safe for girls to go there on their own." She also says that there are no facilities for women to give birth.

Now, however, through a self-help group set up by FYF partner Planet, Sarwantin has been able to increase the family's income by setting up a small shop selling basic items. She also feels more confident and ready to claim her rights.

"Through being in the group we have learnt to speak out, earlier we were just nodding our heads and not saying anything."

As a result groups like Sarwantin's have successfully called for better health and education facilities in their villages.

With the money that our fantastic 5k team raises FYF will now be able to empower even more women like Sarwantin to build a better future for themselves and their families. Thank you!

Run to help end poverty!

Interested in taking up the challenge in 2009? Join our team and we will offer you lots of fundraising and training support and encouragement!

If you would like information please contact fundraise@fyf.org.uk or call 020 7326 4464