March 27th will mark The Second Annual Watoto 10K Road Race, hosted by ERace Poverty in Ilula, Kenya! This year’s goal is to channel the energy of nearly 100 young Kenyan runners into a clean water well for their children’s home and training center, owned and operated by Empowering Lives International (ELI).
In addition to creating free local access to safe drinking water, the well will also irrigate family gardens and help grow tree seedlings to be sold to communities in areas of Kenya experiencing severe deforestation. Once in place, the well will save up to $3,000 per year in food costs and generate up to $12,500 per year in tree seedling revenue. Increasing operational revenue for the children’s home and associated educational expenses will move the people of ELI Kenya a big step closer to achieving a self-sustainable community.
Joining the runners this year will be world-class marathon runner and Kenyan native, Mr. Christopher Cheboiboch, whose accomplishments include multiple top 5 finishes at some of the most competitive international marathons, including 2nd place finishes at both the New York and Boston! We are also pleased to welcome Mr. Fred Chesergon for the second straight year. Mr. Chesergon is a certified physiotherapist and has been the official massage therapist for the Kenyan national marathon team for the past two Olympic Games.
The bid to construct the clean water well in Ilula is approximately $20,000, and our goal is to raise that amount through individual donors to this year’s race. Please make a donation on behalf of one of the children below to help bring a clean water well to the community of Ilula. All donations are tax-deductible.
Click HERE to donate. Any size contribution is accepted, a little help will go a long way.
Leonard Kiprop
“I am seeing myself having a bright future through athletics. When we started training I thought it was just fun but I now see that it was for my benefit.”
Alex Kiptanui
“I am 14 and I love the Lord. Although it is my dream to be a macro biologist I am an athlete as well. I have a dream of going to America to study and to be with one of my friends.”
Moraa Naumi
“I am from Lucas family. I love the Lord as my personal Savior .I want to be an athlete and to work hard because hard work pays. I am in class seven.”
Rose Jepchirchir
“I am still involved in Athletics and I pray to God to always bless me to become the best athlete in future.”
Joyce Cherotich
“I have done my grade 8 class and I look forward to join the best High School. I will continue training in Athletics even in High School.”
Vitaline Jerop
“I am in grade seven and my dream is to be an Athlete apart from being a Missionary also. Athletics is very interesting game. It helps one during food digestion and normal body maintenance. I am now time conscious and have self-discipline.”
Felix Kipkogei
“I am from Chepsat’s family and in grade 12. When I grow up I want to be an Athlete or Engineer.I thank Jeff for helping us in Africa.”
Fridah Kasyoka
“I am Frida and am 13.I am in grade seven and I love running and it is my dream to be an Athlete. Here in Ilula we have been practicing running everyday. Thank you Jeff for starting well with us”
Beatrice Jepchirchir
“Greetings from Ilula children’s home. My name is Beatrice and I am 15 years old. I just
completed my primary education last year. I am at home now helping my parents with various activities. I like to work at the garden to plant crops, do weeding and watering them. The Lord blessed us with rain recently and our kitchen garden looks very green. We did not have much rain last year and so our crops did not do well. We are praying God for the provision of a borehole at the children’s home so that we can plant many vegetables that could be supplied to the kitchen and even sell some. God bless.”
Joyce Jerotich
”I am 14 years old and at the children’s home. I am so happy because the Lord kept me safe since last year 2009 to this year of 2010. I am expecting many good things to happen this year. I am happy because I cleared my primary education last year. I am helping my parents Jonah and Mary at the children’s home to do cleaning of the compound, our girls’ room and working at the garden. I like athletics and I would like to become an athlete in future. I have been doing morning running for about 7 kilometers and I have improved since I started. We had a marathon for children at our children’s home last year which was organized by Jeff and we liked it so much.”
Sheila Jeptoo
“I am twelve years old. I am in class six at Samro School. I would like to be a musician in future but I also like athletics. I love running long distances and I believe that one day I will become an international athlete. I have a garden and I like to water it every morning and evening. We are looking forward to have a borehole so that we can plant many crops as much as we can.”
Edwin Kipchirchir
“I am in grade 5. I just joined a new class at the beginning of this year and I already like it. I like athletics and have been practicing running every morning. I also like working at the kitchen garden in the evening after school and during the weekends. We have now planted some spinach and kale and our garden looks green with vegetables.”
Henry Kipchirchir
“I am twelve years old and at Kosgey’s family. My parents at the children’s home takes good care of us and love us so much. I am working hard at school and in my sports too. I like playing soccer and athletics. We had a marathon last year at our home and I participated and enjoyed so much. I pray to God to help me in my studies and in my sports so that I can become a better person in future. God bless you.”
Evans Kiprono
“I am 13 years old. I have a dream of becoming a pilot but I also like athletics. At Ilula children’s home we have a garden. It would be more easier to have a borehole so that we could water our crops daily and have more production from the garden.”
Evans Kipkenei
“My favorite sport is athletics. I really like running and even watching the athletes. I normally do practice at school and at home too. I would like to do well in my school work and sports activities.”
Diana Jelimo
“I am an athlete and would like to continue with it. I would also love to continue with it in future even when I will have got my job. We did not have enough rain in our country last year and the place was very dry. Many people and animals lost their lives because of drought. I am praying to God that we have more rain this year so that our crops can do well.”
Kenneth Toroitich
“I come from Kiprotich’s family at the children’s home and I am an athlete. I like practicing running even at school and during the school term that we have athletics, I enjoy it so much. I love the Lord as my personal savior. We are praying to God to have a borehole at our home because we like practicing farming.”
Francis Njuguna
“I am in grade seven at Samro school. I like working at the kitchen garden at our home. Although I may not manage to be an International athlete, I still like running because I get exercises for my body to be healthy.”
Margaret Asinyen
“I Love Jesus as my personal savior. I am in grade six and would like to become a pilot in future as well as an athlete. We have a garden at the children’s home and everyone likes digging and planting though sometimes we have water problem and we have to use the municipal water to water the crops. I am among those who participate in running every morning.”
Charity Jerono
“I love Jesus as my personal savior. I am in grade six and would like to be an athlete. I enjoyed having Jeff at our home last year when he visited and I am looking forward to see him again.”
Emmanuel Kiplimo
“I am in grade 7 and I am excited to have joined a new grade this year. I am also happy for my school because it did well during the KCPE exams last year. I would like to work hard so that I can join the best high schools. I like participating in athletics and working at the garden. I have planted some kales and maize at the garden and I am expecting good harvest because of the rain.”
Obadiah Kipruto
“I am from Rono’s family. I like helping my brothers and sisters at home. I like my school and my teachers. I like athletics especially running. I participate in running every morning. God bless you.”
Raymond Kipkogei
“I am in Lucas’s family and I love my family so much. My brothers and sisters at the children’s home are very good. I go to Samro School. I practice running and hope to become a runner in future. I have a sister at the children’s home called Vitaline who likes running too. I love Jesus and I know that with him everything is possible”
Dorcas Jebet
“I am in class 3. I love Jesus. I like running. I love my parents and teachers.”
Scopia Jebiwott
“I am 14 years old and in Kiprotich's family. I joined grade 8 at the beginning of this year at Samro School. I am happy to be in a new grade and I would like to work hard so that I can achieve my goals. I would like to become a president of my country in future. I like participating in sports like volleyball, football and running. They help my body to be strong and healthy. I am so happy to be at the children's home and to have people who love us not only here but also in the United States. God bless you all.”
Apollo Gitahi
“I am 10 years old and in class 4 at Samro school. I come from Kosgey’s family at the children’s home. I like my stay here because I am well taken care of. I like running and I participated last year when Jeff organized athletics for us. I am very grateful because I get food, clothes, education at school and I am being taught the word of God. I like working at the garden to plant crops and to water them. Thank you.”
Kelvin Kipkurui
“I am 7 years old and in class two at Samro primary school. I am in Chepsat’s family and I love my family so much. I like to help to wash our room and water crops at the garden. I like playing with my friends Edison and Brian. I remember when Jeff visited us last year and we played together. My favorite subject at school is Kiswahili and I would like to become a pilot in future. God bless you.”
We are honored to welcome several other participants from the community who are passionate about athletics and the work being done at the Ilula Children’s Home, including:
Mr. Christopher Cheboiboch
Mr. Cheboiboch is a world class athlete, with many top 5 finishes in international marathons, including New York and Boston marathons, and four 1st place marathon finishes. He has personal bests of 1:00:49 in the half marathon and 2:08:17, both of which are just minutes off the world record. He also founded an elementary school in Salaba village in the Keiyo District of Kenya, where he strives to “nurture sports ability, impart knowledge and equip pupils of Salaba Academy with skills that will make them confidently face the challenges of a dynamic society.”
Mr. Chesergon is a certified physiotherapist and orthopedic and sports massage therapist. He is also the official massage therapist for the Kenyan International Running Team, and has worked with them through multiple World Championships, and the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, where one of his athletes, Samuel Wanjiru, won the marathon gold medal in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32. Mr. Chesergon is excited to be a part of the 2010 Watoto Road Race because, in addition to raising funds for a much needed borehole for the Ilula community, he feels it will create an awareness of the existence of the small children’s home and its role in the community, the country, and the world.
Dennis Kiprop
Dennis is currently enrolled in business classes in Eldoret, the nearest town to Ilula. He dreams to be an entrepreneur and athletic coach, and would like to help communities develop business skills so they improve the future for themselves and their children.
Virginia Rono;
Virginia is the daughter of Mr. Laban Rono, the director of the Ilulla Chidlren’s Home. She has completed a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and wishes to start her own business and create jobs for people in her country after completing her master’s. She also returns to her home village to help the children in Ilula build their skills so they may go on to higher education.
Ruth Rono
Ruth is also a daughter of Mr. Laban Rono, and has completed dual bachelors’ degrees in communications and sociology. She has been involved in sports, music and drama, and desires to complete a master’s in public health and help communities improve medical services and social responsibility.