by Merritt Frey, Executive Director

If you are like me, you may have found yourself taking a lot of walks recently. With all the news around the pandemic, where it is safe to do so it is wonderful to get outside and clear your head with a walk around the neighborhood. But what if that walk could clear your head AND build a school? With Miles for Mali, it can!

What is Miles for Mali? This spring, we challenge you to walk or run the distance children in rural Mali villages walk to get to school in one week (40 miles) or one month (160 miles). (Biking is also an option!) Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are doing things a little differently this year.* Instead of hosting Miles only in May, we are keeping the event open in both May & June. You still just get 30 consecutive days to cover your distance, but you can pick your time window!

You can tackle your miles as a solo walker or compete as part of a team. I think this could be a fabulous way to stay in touch with family or friends around the country — get off that Zoom and take a walk “together” virtually!

A small registration fee ($25) gives you access to an easy fitness app to track your miles or you can enter them on the Miles site directly. We’ll keep you inspired with stories and updates throughout May and June, and prizes are available for individuals and teams, such as family, church, community, or corporate groups.

We encourage you to also use the app to raise pledges from friends and family. This will keep you motivated and help kids in Mali by giving them a chance at the most life-changing opportunity -- a quality education.

Your registration fee and any optional pledges you raise will help build a school for children in a tiny village in Mali. You can change lives forever just be getting yourself off the couch…and one of the lives you improve will be your own! Learn more and register here.

* We know some people just can’t participate at all this year as you need to stay inside. We support that! You might consider joining us for one of our virtual events and/or support another walker on their Miles for Mali quest.