I’m running the London Marathon in April 2026 for Network for Africa – a challenge I’m both excited and slightly terrified to take on! But behind the miles and training runs is something far more meaningful: the opportunity to support communities in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.
Last November, I visited Sierra Leone – a trip that has already left a lasting imprint on me. Before anything else, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported me with the planning and logistics that made the visit possible.
A Journey That Stays With You
I’ve always considered myself fairly well-travelled, especially across Africa (including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, and Cabo Verde), but nothing quite prepared me for the intensity and authenticity of West Africa. Sierra Leone is chaotic, raw, and deeply real – a place that immediately pulls you into its rhythm. By the time I left, I already knew I’d be coming back again next year.
A special shout-out goes to Ibrahim (Programme Manager, Network for Salone), who patiently waited for me, guided me through the journey, and introduced me to two communities in Port Loko. There, I had the privilege of hearing directly from villagers about how their lives have been shaped, sometimes scarred, by Ebola, by high-interest external debt, and by the everyday struggles of rural life.
Yet what struck me most was not the hardship, but the resilience.
How Community Savings and Loans are Changing Lives
In each village, people opened up about the impact of their self-help groups’ savings schemes, supported by Network for Africa’s programme. One woman shared that she once had no choice but to borrow from external lenders to pay for things like school fees and medical bills, trapping her family in a draining cycle of debt and vulnerability.
Today, through their self-help group’s savings schemes:
- Families can save together and earn modest interest
- Villagers have a basic safety net to rely on
- Communities can fund larger projects without turning to predatory loans
It was an eye-opening, humbling reminder of how powerful small, community-led interventions can be, even in the toughest conditions.
I left inspired by the dedication and expertise of Network for Africa’s local partners, who continue to make extraordinary things happen despite every challenge imaginable.
Halfway to the Fundraising Goal
In terms of London Marathon fundraising, I’m delighted to share that I’m now roughly halfway to the target. Seeing first-hand how donations are transforming lives has made every training run feel even more worthwhile.
- Your support truly matters.
- It strengthens communities.
- It creates opportunities.
- It gives families of people with mental health issues a chance to step out of the cycle of poverty.
If you’re able to support or share my campaign, it would mean so much.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for standing with us and with the people of Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.
Judy Liu