In May 2025, the Rwanda Impact Marathon brought together a group of intrepid runners to spend a week visiting life-changing projects, before running a marathon through the famous Rwandan hills.
The Impact Marathon initiative connects runners with organisations around the world that are driving positive change. The experience gives people the opportunity to engage with communities directly and see their support in action.
This year, Chance for Childhood collaborated with Impact Marathons to create a brand-new race in Rwanda. Runners from the UK and US visited projects from four different organisations working in Rwanda, ranging from animal conservation work to supporting gender-based violence survivors and children with disabilities.
During the week, runners visited Chance for Childhoods’ innovative Big Pig project, which supplies families with pregnant pigs to provide a sustainable income for the future. They also saw how we are transforming the lives of children and their families through the community project we run with UNICEF, supporting children with disabilities to reintegrate back into family life after spending time in institutions.
Harry Gunn from Impact Marathons (right) visiting our Big Pig project in rural Rwanda.
Our trustee Adrian May joined the team for the week in Rwanda. He said:
‘It’s all about understanding the IMPACT of the work Chance for Childhood and other charities do. We learnt about how, until recently, these children were hidden aware at home. Parents too embarrassed to admit they existed.
Chance for Childhood has brought them into the sunlight and helped the parents to support one another. Provided a physio to show the parents how to massage stiff and unmovable joints. How some children can now walk after previously not.
We then went and visited families supported by the Big Pig project and listened to them joyously explain how their lives have improved with their own income to support themselves.
At the end of the week, we then ran and walked together a 10k, half and full marathon through an incredible route across some of Rwanda’s famed hills. Not just the Impact group but also the charities and team Chance for Childhood was there in force.’
The runners have raised over £5,000 for the four organisations to continue their transformative work.
Interested in taking on a challenge? We offer a range of experiences to suit different interests and abilities! See our full events calendar here: www.chanceforchildhood.org/take-on-a-challenge/
Pictured (left to right): 1. Bea (one of the Impact Marathon organisers), CFC trustee Adrian and our Head of Operations Felicien. 2. Runners at the start line. 3. Fabrice (CFC Rwanda), runner Toi, and Jacqueline (CFC Rwanda).