Irene Burow, Wolfgang Kulow and Jörn Theissig are starting a long-distance charity run for TARGET e. V. through the "Salar de Uyuni" salt desert in Bolivia from 20.10.2018 to 27.10.2018. The team would like to use the run to help finance a new ambulance, which is urgently needed at TARGET's obstetrics clinic. The cost of the vehicle (excluding special medical equipment) is around 22,000 euros. Every cent of the campaign goes 100% to TARGET e. V. and goes directly towards financing the ambulance vehicle.
By running across the highest (3,600 meters) and largest salt desert in the world (almost 11,000 square kilometers), the team from the Andes of Bolivia is making a wide arc to the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia. TARGET's obstetrics clinic is located on its edge. The three initiators want to draw attention to the problem of female genital mutilation. The run of over 170 kilometers roughly corresponds to the catchment area of the clinic, where girls and women who have fallen victim to this cruel ritual are treated. On the other hand, the aim is to raise as much money as possible for an ambulance together with loved ones.
"An ambulance is urgently needed, for example to bring pregnant women with birth problems from the huts to the hospital in an emergency - and thus save mother and child," explains Annette Nehberg-Weber. Newborn babies requiring intensive care could also be taken by ambulance to the nearest intensive care unit three hours away, giving them a chance of survival.
"As a woman, the ritual of genital mutilation is unimaginable for me."
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Irene Burow (34) has been an editor at northern German daily newspapers for 10 years, a globetrotter with a penchant for discovering cultures on her own. "I traveled to Namibia with my first self-earned money to photograph a development aid project," she says. Many countries have since followed. "This project brings me very close to my childhood dream of getting involved in development aid." She also loves being out and about in a minimalist and sporty way, taking photos and pushing the boundaries with professionals. Irene is particularly happy to help girls in need who, at a young age, do not yet have the power to make decisions about their own lives and to enable them to do what we take for granted: lead a dignified life. "I have the greatest respect for foreign customs. But there is no compromise on this point: As a woman, the ritual of genital mutilation is unimaginable for me." |
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Wolfgang Kulow (69) has been at home in extreme sports for over 50 years and is constantly on the lookout for new challenges. He wants to fulfill one of his last big lifelong dreams in extreme sports by crossing the Salar de Uyuni. He has already collected dozens of borderline experiences, including multiple world records. Last year, he crossed the 640-kilometer-long Lake Baikal with Jörn. He is delighted to have found two like-minded team partners in Irene and Jörn, to be able to successfully complete this project despite his advanced age and to combine it with a good cause. "We will make ourselves aware of how important it is for the women and girls to reach this clinic every kilometer in the barren conditions." Jörn Theissig (47), Director of Criminal Investigation at the Federal Criminal Police Office, likes to spend his free time out and about in the ice and snow. His feel-good temperature is usually above -25 degrees. "Clear stars, silence and distance from civilization reveal the simplicity of nature to me in a special way," he says. "Being in harmony with it means being in harmony with yourself." For some years now, he has been giving his extreme runs a purpose and combining them with charity runs to help people who did not have as good a start in life as he did. With the new, anything but icy run "Over the Salt for Girls' Rights", Jörn wants to take on a completely different challenge this time with the other two. "The running distance is roughly the same as the distance the patients would have to cover. That alone is enough to make people aware of why an ambulance is needed. We look forward to supporting the funding with many other donors." The challenges: Poor orientation, walking on salt, strong winds, permanent sunlight, strong temperature fluctuations during the day and night and heavy luggage due to the drinking water alone (over 85 liters). |
"We are delighted with this fundraising campaign," says Rüdiger Nehberg. "Our obstetrics clinic on the edge of the Danakil in Ethiopia is a vital project for the girls and women in Afar who suffer from the inconceivable consequences of even more inconceivable genital mutilation. The clinic is a reliable aid for the girls and women in this Afar region and, due to its remote location, is a self-sufficient project that is financed exclusively by donations. Every donation counts in order to be able to support this special project."
Support the charity run with your donation
With your donation, you will make a significant contribution to financing the ambulance
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How you can follow the charity run and participate interactively:
On our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, we will regularly report on news from the charity run and publish the latest pictures of the team. You can look forward to beautiful photos of the Bolivian salt flats, the team's challenges during the journey and spectacular experiences. You can communicate interactively with Irene Burow, Wolfgang Kulow or Jörn Theissig: Post your personal question in the Facebook or Instagram comments and we will be happy to pass it on to the team.
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