In the November Newsletter we announced that Eric Jager will be going for a run in his hometown of Sherborne UK, to collect money for our project in Juigalpa. How did Eric get this idea and what drives him? Here’s Eric talking.
I’ve known Astrid for a long time and I know the project well, especially because of the Dutch to English translation work that my wife Rosaleen and I do for Vivir Juntos. It is a fantastic project and lots has been achieved with little money in a short time. That’s great to see. I’ve worked for around 30 years as a demographer doing ‘development work’ in various countries in Africa and Asia and have seen many projects by organisations ranging from large-scale UN projects to small personal initiatives by inspired individuals. And really, the Ruach project is exceptional. Ruach would score high on all criteria that are often used to evaluate the success of projects. I find it especially striking that the project really works for the most vulnerable in the society; that the project was already firmly rooted from day 1 and is almost solely managed by Nicaraguans; and that the project ventures into new territory in Nicaragua: the training of people in how to care for and stimulate adults with intellectual disabilities. The Board of the Ruach foundation is very focused and is creative in seeing and making use of opportunities that come their way. It really ‘speaks to me’ that the project is deeply human and can equally touch people with different beliefs and value systems.
Why a sponsored run, and in the winter too?
I only started running after my 50th birthday, almost a decade ago. I have done a sponsored run before, so the idea came easily to me. It is a privilege that healthwise I am able to do this. I’m aware that billions of people aren’t quite so lucky. Moreover, Sherborne is a safe and beautiful area in a part of the UK with on average more hours of sunshine than most of the UK! Running for a good cause also motivates me and gets me over the hump and out in those running shoes on days that I’d rather stay indoors. But once I’m out on a run, it’s lovely to be outside, and I forget about my own daily affairs and worries. So by doing this sponsored run I combine doing something good for a super charity with doing something good for myself.
What do you want to achieve with your run? How can people support your effort?
Ruach News is inspiring news and I hope of course that the publicity for this run will spread the good news and reach and inspire people who did not know of the Ruach project and The Ark movement before, and that they in turn talk to others etc. The success of the Ruach project does not depend on whether my sponsored run raises $100 or $10,000. The ongoing involvement of more people is much more important. People can remain involved by signing up for the regular Newsletters. So far Newsletters are in Dutch and sent by Vivir Juntos to their Dutch readers. I hope that Vivir Juntos can extend their service to formatting the Newsletters into English for English readers. Of course I volunteer to do the necessary translation work. But of course I hope that people will support the run by donating some money into the Vivirjuntos’ euro account NL 10 TRIO 0390 9437 11 citing “Sponsored Run”. Vivirjuntos will transfer the total raised to the dollar account of the Ruach Foundation in Juigalpa. With extra funds more can be achieved. For example, it may sooner become possible that intellectually disabled people who live far away from Ruach will be able to participate in Ruach’s activities centre. There is a demand, but families are usually too poor to drop and collect their disabled relative, and the Ruach Foundation does not have a vehicle. By the way, it is great that the parish church I belong to in Sherborne has pledged 500 pounds for the Ruach Foundation independent from my initiative. As my ‘thank you’ I plan to start and finish my run from the Close of Sherborne’s beautiful abbey.
Do you believe that together we can make a difference, even with small amounts of money?
Yes, definitely. A small amount given by somebody who has not much money to give or who donates something small in kind represents high ‘encouragement value’ and enlarges the support base for the work of the Ruach foundation. It’s not all about money, but just as much about allowing yourself to be touched and to be aware that people need each other. A sense of connection and involvement can do wonders!