It's Not Goodbye, It's a New Chapter

It's not a secret to anyone close to me that just over 3 years ago a cause captured my heart and quite frankly changed the course of my life in terms of personal growth.

Gwen, Ann and I at my first Group Walk/Run in 2012!

 I've met some great people along my journey, and all of you have touched my heart in a way I cannot ever fully articulate, but I will nonetheless humbly attempt to do so in the words which follow.  

That cause is Run for Congo Women, a grassroots movement started by Portland's own Lisa Shannon several years prior to raise awareness about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (read more about what inspired me to become involved here). Run for Congo Women eventually became an official project of Women for Women International (WfWI), and so when I came on scene I quickly got in touch with WfWI to coordinate efforts. I was proud to pick up the torch to carry on the good work Lisa started.  And, I did not do so alone.

Equal Exchange Team at our 2014 Group Walk/Run

 In fact, often over the past three years I've wondered who in the heck I think I am that I can possibly take on such a complex and large problem and effectively offer sustainable and real solutions to those who would be impacted most: the women, children and men in Congo. Well, if the past three years have taught me anything, it's that no action is too small, and if we collectively work together we can impact any issue no matter how massive and untouchable it appears. 

With that said, the time has come for me to shift my work for the cause I care so much about, and so on behalf of Team Congo PDX I would like to announce that we will not be hosting a group walk or run in 2015, but will instead organize a local awareness event in late Spring. The success of our group walk/runs over the past 3 years have only been possible with the support of our local runners/walkers, and for that I am forever grateful.  Team Congo PDX will continue to participate in Cause and Event Portland (Save the Date: 10.18.15)!  Stay tuned for details about both events in early 2015.

Let me take a moment to provide some background on Team Congo PDX's journey over the past three years.
As many of you know I founded Team Congo PDX in Fall of 2011 to help raise awareness about the atrocities in eastern Congo, and our inadvertent connection to them as consumers of electronic products.

Keeping track of my 54 miles in 2011

Team Congo PDX is run by me with the volunteer support of local community members, businesses and non-profits.  My efforts via Team Congo PDX have always benefited WfWI's Congo program.  WfWI's Congo program provides Congolese women with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies. Women who enroll in WfWI's one-year program learn job skills and receive business training so they can earn a living. They come to understand their rights and how to fight for those rights in their homes, their communities and their nations. They learn how to become leaders.  

I started off with a solo-fundraising campaign in late September 2011 wherein I ran 54 miles over 6 weeks.  With the support of friends, family, community members, local businesses, and Women for Women International Team Congo PDX has hosted a group walk/run on International Women's Day for the past three years (2012-2014).  Team Congo PDX has also participated in Cause and Event Portland for the past two years, bringing the second largest team in 2013!

Our 2014 Cause and Event Team

 In total, through all of these efforts, we have raised nearly $13,000 to benefit women in Congo through Women for Women International.  This is something each and every one of you who have supported my work should be proud of for it is because of YOU that we were able to raise such a substantial amount! 

It has been my honor to serve as Women for Women International's Volunteer Ambassador since 2012, and it is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank each and every one of you for your support over the past three years.  It has been, and will continue to be, my honor to serve not only the women in Congo, but the women who live in all 8 countries WfWI operates (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan).

Team Congo PDX does have an online fundraising page through WfWI, and so please do not hesitate to organize your own teams at local running events to help raise funds, and feel free to set-up a profile on our page 
(http://wfwicongo.kintera.org/wfwi_pdx), or even set-up your own team using the site. Follow our Facebook page for announcements with regard to our 2015 Cause and Event team and Spring awareness event: https://www.facebook.com/RFCW.PDX).  You can also learn more about WfWI's programs and how to become involved here. 

With much gratitude,
Amanda Ulrich
Team Congo PDX Founder
WfWI Volunteer Ambassador
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A special thank you to the following individuals, organizations, and businesses (in no particular order): Joanna Valdivieso-Gonzales at WfWI, Jennifer Morabito, Ann and Lisa Shannon, Alysha Atma, Richa Sehgal, Kathy Cordell, Jeanne Sprague, Amy Little, everyone at Run Oregon, Laura Thomas, Sean Rivers, Jane and Tim Hartfield of the Great Harvest Bakery in Downtown Portland, Swanson, Thomas,Coon & Newton, Never Again Coalition, Kevin Putnam, Patrick Wahlen, Bonnie Wilson, Annette Vaughn, Maryalicia Verdecchia, Never Again Coalition, Robert Hadley, Equal Exchange Portland Co-op, Anna Canning, Foot Traffic, Starbucks, Auora Chorus, LA Fitness Tanasbourne, ProHealth Chiropractic, Sustainable Harvest Coffee Importers, Gwen Bradlee, Diversitech, Diane Koosed, Becky Bent, Dan Thornton, Kayla Smith, and last but not least my family. 

Sponsorship Journey

I am beyond thrilled that we raised enough funds at my March 8, 2014 charity run/walk to sponsor 14 women through Women for Women International's (WfWI) Congo program.

Our Equal Exchange Team at our 2014 Event

Simply by taking the time to come together, we are now supporting half a class through WfWI, and are able to be a part of a journey taking place half a world away for 14 remarkable women. 

Over three years ago when I first learned about the conflict in Congo, and how my use of electronics products gave me leverage to do something about it, I didn't yet fully understand that I would become a part of something which would actually have impact.

Dedicated Volunteers

 By impact, I mean human-to-human connection with women who live in Eastern Congo.  


And so, it is with a thankful heart that I embark on the sponsorship journey with all of you, my fellow supporters. Over the course of the next year I will send and post monthly snippets about the 14 women we are sponsoring. In order to protect their privacy photos will only be sent via my newsletter, and so should you wish to receive the more detailed newsletter updates, please subscribe via my webpage (click "subscribe" on the bottom right of the page).

You will also have the opportunity to correspond with the sisters.  To send a message of encouragement and support simply email me at: amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com.  

I encourage you to take the time to do so as Women for Women International has been told time and time again by their program participants that messages from their sponsors provide hope and encouragement beyond measure, and provide a sense of togetherness during times of loneliness. 

Some of our runners on 3.8.14

Should we receive responses from our sisters (it can take quite some time to receive responses due to the logistics involved on their end living in more rustic places), I will of course pass those along in my blog and monthly newsletter as well. 

Meet 2 of The Sisters
That said, please meet Sisters Maria & Kate.
Maria: is married with 6 children
Kate: is single with 1 child

Their Journey*
*(The following is from an update I received from Women for Women International)

Maria, Kate and our other 12 sisters are now finishing their fourth month of training.

In the last few months, the sisters have been in health and wellness classes.  We (WfWI) believe that women cannot be active members of their communities if they are not well, both physically and emotionally. Over the next several months, our sisters will continue to learn methods of prevention and treatment of key health issues for themselves and her family members.

Health is a human right. Our sisters class will focus on the concept of health as an essential human right. This is a crucial starting point for women who live in areas where poor nutrition and preventable diseases are a part of everyday life. She will learn basic skills, nutritional information, sanitation and disease prevention.

Coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of the women we work with are survivors of great violence, suffering and loss.

In DRC, at least 5.4 million people have died as a result of conflict and its consequences since 1998. With rape used as a weapon of war, an estimated 48 women are raped every hour in the DRC, resulting in about 1.8 million women having been raped.

This may be the first time they are able to discuss and deal with the trauma that they have been living with. Your sister will learn to recognize stress as a normal reaction to the events she has experienced, develop tools for coping with her symptoms, and be given access to resources for additional help if needed.


Protect yourself and your family. Your sisters will learn about communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, sexual reproductive health, mental health and environmental health. In addition, they will learn about pregnancy, infant care, family planning and hygiene. When a woman is healthy, she can focus on healing and learning as she moves forward in our program.

**************

Thank you again for your support, and please take the time to send a message of support to Maria and Kate as they go through their journey with Women for Women International.

Amanda Ulrich
Team Congo PDX Founder
Women for Women International Volunteer Ambassador
amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com

Team Congo PDX's Group 10K & 5K Walk/Run - 3.8.14 Top Tier Raffle

We are just over a month out to Team Congo PDX's Group 10K & 5K Walk/Run, and we are excited to announce that this year we have 5 awesome incentive items (we have 2 of each item) donated by Women for Women International (WfWI) to offer to 10 supporters to raise $100 or more via our online fundraising page with (WfWI).  All proceeds will benefit their Congo program. We also have 1 special item donated by the local Portland Equal Exchange Co-Op, as well as free entry from Foot Traffic for their all women's training program. 

Here's how it works:

• To enter the raffle, set-up an online fundraising page here: http://wfwicongo.kintera.org/teamcongopdx (if you set-up your own team, please email the event organizer by 3.7.14 with the url to your team page: amandapdxrunforcongo@gmail.com);

• Raise $100 or more by 3.5.14 from family, friends, colleagues (funds raised must be posted to online fundraising page);

• Then, on event day (3.8.14) we will draw 10 winners, and each will win one of the following items donated by Women for Women International: 

Yes, it's that simple! 

Gem Stone bracelets made by Afghan women enrolled in WfWI's program.






If you Knew Me You Would Care by WfWI founder Zainab Salbi.

Run for Congo Women 

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

            Half the Sky DVD 

Bracelet & Necklace made by 

Rwandan Women enrolled in 

WfWI's program:

African Gift Box from Equal Exchange 

(This gift box supports Panzi Hospital in Eastern Congo)

Comp entry to Foot Traffic Women's Academy 

(begins 3.8.14, but okay to miss the first session)

Well, what are you waiting for?  Get out there & fundraise!

Team Congo PDX Cause + Event Rundown

On Saturday, November 16, 2013 Team Congo PDX participated in Cause + Event Portland, a local running/walking event which benefits the charity of the particpant's choice.  Team Congo PDX brought 47 team members to the event, and had participant's entered into both the 10K and 5K run, as well as the 5K walk and virtual walk/run.

Group photo!

$10 of each Team Congo PDX member's registration fee was a direct donation to Women for Women International's Congo program.  In total we raised$545, which is enough to sponsor one woman for one year, plus 40% toward a second one year sponsorship.  This amount represents each team member's registration fee and donations ($470 fees / $75 donations).  

Women for Women International's one year program in Congo provides women (mainly from the east) with job training skills, as well as trauma counseling as most women have been victims of sexual assault/violence, and upon graduation are given a micro loan in order to put their newly learned job skills to use.  (Team Fundraising Page).

It was truly a fun day, and the event was well planned. About 5 months prior to the event Team Congo PDX entered into a friendly side-challenge with Team Angel MS Warriors to see who could bring the largest team.

Team Angel MS Warrior Captain Charlie & Team Congo PDX Captain Amanda

The losing team was to complete an exercise of the winning team's choice. Although Team Congo PDX lost the challenge, The Angel's were great sports & did the 80 some-odd jumping jacks with us pre-race (a great way to get warmed up)!  Rumor has it the challenge is on again for next year (Save the date: 9.13.14 Cause + Event!)

The race course itself was brilliant in that it consisted of several out & backs and so you got to pass by & high five your fellow team mates as you passed by them.  A great way to recharge your running/walking spirit! 

The after-race celebration was also upbeat & much fun.

Team Congo PDX members warming by the heater pre-race

 I enjoyed being able to say hi and thank you to as many Team Congo PDX members as possible, and was inspired at the cross section of our team: co-workers, running friends, fellow activists, high school classmates...

A special thank you to the Never Again Coalition for helping to recruit Team Congo PDX members, and of course the the Cause + Event volunteer race committee, and in particular Race Director Amy Little.

If you'd like to support Team Congo PDX, you can join us for our annual charity group walk/run on International Women's Day (3.8.14): Click here to register.

Tabling at Pamper for a Purpose

     On Sunday, July 28th Team Congo PDX was privileged to table at the 3rd annual Pamper for a Purpose, which is a local benefit for Jewish World Watch's (JWW) programs in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  For $20 you could purchase a service (make-over, acupuncture, hairstylist, massage, etc.), and pamper yourself, but for a purpose! 

Team Congo PDX's table @ Pamper for a Purpose

It was a beautiful sunny day, and afforded the opportunity to meet many inspiring activists, policy makers, & Congolese and Sudanese nationals. 

   

Diana & myself

I started my day by meeting Diana Buckhantz, a JWW Board Member, who had just returned home from a trip to DRC (Read Diana's Huffington Post blog here).  Diana and I spent a bit of time chatting about her recent trip to Congo, JWW's work with Women for Women International. Diana even donated to Team Congo PDX's online fundraising page, and in return I made sure to give her a Run for Congo Women t-shirt!

Rudwan and I

Later in the day I was honored to meet Rudwan Dawod Cis, who one year ago was unjustly detained by the Northern Sudanese Government for advocating for peace in Sudan (you can read more about Rudwan's incredible story here).  Rudwan lives south of Portland with his beautiful wife and daughter, and I was tickled to meet Rudwan, his wife and daughter in person as like so many others across Oregon, and in fact the country, I was able to take part in the campaign to help bring Rudwan home.  Rudwan's story is incredible, and yet he is one of the most humble, compassionate human beings I have ever met.  

     I was able to talk to a around 150 -200 people about my upcoming Run for Congo Women events, and collected $52 in donations which has been applied to our online fundraising page for Women for Women International's DRC program.  All-in-all a wonderfully inspiring day!

Donations!