Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Funds raised by Go2Africa: about $10,000
Updated 16 November 2021
This year's Serengeti Girls Run took place between 27 October and 1 November 2021. During this three-day, 63 km (39 mi), all-women event through Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, 11 intrepid women from across the world ran for the empowerment of Tanzanian women.
Hosted by the Grumeti Fund in conjunction with Singita, the Serengeti Girls Run is a charity event in which all the runners aim to raise as much money as they can for women's empowerment initiatives in Tanzania. All the participants are required to raise a minimum of $8,500 and contributions raised for the run are donated to the Grumeti Fund, a non-profit organisation that carries out vital wildlife conservation and community development work in the western Serengeti.
Go2Africa is extremely proud to have supported the Grumeti Fund by raising almost $10,000 for the 2021 Serengeti Girls Run – with a few more donations still expected to be made!
Our very own Managing Director, Maija de Rijk-Uys, was one of the 11 runners who took part in this all-women event, and we're happy to share her first-hand account of this year's race…
The run with a purpose has been completed! 63 km and three days across the Serengeti. We had the most spectacular wildlife experiences like running among the wildebeest and zebras, being followed by hyena, and hearing all the bush noises you don’t hear from a safari vehicle: the loud bellowing of wildebeest, the nickering of zebra, and the giggling of hyena.
The road leading up to the race wasn’t easy. While I battled with an injury for six weeks (which I managed to eventually sort out before the race) and contracting COVID-19, I was as ready as I could be, under the circumstances. But the weeks leading up to injury and COVID were great! I was in top training form and my trainer advised that I was ready. The universe, however, had other plans, and I had to rely on the banked runs and muscle memory to complete the race.
I’d like to thank everyone for their generous contributions towards the Grumeti Fund and the Serengeti Girls Run. Not only have you made it possible for me to tick off a bucket-list experience, but you’ve also helped to raise essential funds to enhance the quality of education provided to the youth in local communities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers and livelihoods.
Support is provided in the form of scholarships for secondary schools, vocational studies, and education within the conservation and tourism sectors. The runners had the privilege to meet some of the girls going through the scholarship programs, which was beyond humbling.
Finally, look out for our communications next year. I have decided to take part in this worthy cause again!
With gratitude and appreciation from Africa,
Maija de Rijk-Uys
How Can You Support the Cause, Without Running?
For more information on how to donate to the Grumeti Fund, please visit the African Community & Conservation Foundation.
