Staff from UK shipbroker EA Gibson will be mounting bikes and donning running gear to raise money for a new school in Kenya.
The company is partnering with ChallengeAid to build a School of Hope in Kawangware, a “vibrant yet underserved slum” in Nairobi, it said.
Gibsons has a target of £10,000 ($12,700) to kick-start the building and initial running of the school.
Brokers are taking on a global challenge between 16 and 27 September to help reach this amount.
The company wants staff to clock up 6,813km, the distance between London and Kawangware, through various activities such as running, walking, rowing and cycling.
“Gibsons is making a long-term commitment to a school for the children of Kawangware, that will grow with us as a company,” Gibsons said.
“We envision seeing these children not only finish their schooling but also move on to tertiary education, and maybe in the future having a dream about working in the shipping industry,” the London shop added.
Gibsons wants to provide a safe haven for learning and growth.
“Our School of Hope will be a sanctuary for children, opening its doors after school hours, on weekends and during holidays,” the broker said.
As well as providing resources to support academic learning, a range of activities such as chess will be on offer, as well as life skills education that prepares children for the future.
The school will also have a sports area that will promote physical development and well-being.
One of the key initiatives will be providing feminine hygiene products to girls who would otherwise go without, addressing a critical need and helping them stay in school with dignity and confidence, the broker explained.
“The establishment of our School of Hope is not just about education; it’s about fostering positive development and keeping children off the streets,” the London shop said.
“In a community where the risks of crime and drug involvement are high, our school will offer a beacon of hope and a path towards a brighter future,” it added.
Click here to donate to the cause.
