Although I had been collecting funds and running in events for a number of years, it was in July 2013 that the Lori Tierney Foundation became official. Since then money has been donated via friends, business partners and family members from running events. Running events such as: Rotterdam marathon, Cardiff half marathon, the famous Nijmegen seven hill event and many other more local, smaller events.

Our goal as Lori Tierney Foundation:

To focus on sending young children from rural areas to school who would otherwise not receive an education.

To play a role, even if just very small, in helping to eradicate poverty through education.

To empower the children by providing opportunities and tools for education.

To work to break the cycle of poverty through education.

To ensure that 100% of sponsors’ donations go directly to the source.

So far we have funded Peter Adika’s education, board and lodging. This he successfully completed in 2015 with a Bachelor degree in accountancy and can now support his siblings and himself.

At the moment we have Andrew, Jakes, Nicole, Judith, Gift, Grace and Glorie all at school and getting breakfast and lunch at the school.  Judith’s father died of aids leaving her mother with 9 children, living in abject poverty and no funding.  This would have meant that Judith would have gone out to work and married at a very young age. Now she is at school learning and being looked after by Mable and Maurice. Jakes is supported by Claudette and Theo Albers.

Another small project is micro-financing a small shop. Mabel sells flour, oil and sugar at the market, with this she is able to buy stock, pay the rent and feed the children. This in turn has empowered Mabel and she can coach and mentor her community.

Our latest project is using some of our funds for Waku-Waku lights. A highly-efficient and sustainable, solar-powered lamp which gives 34 hours of light after just a day in the sun. This has made an enormous difference to families with no electricity. Mabel can continue selling in her shop in the evening and the children can do their homework. www.waku-waku.com