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
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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. 

Aurora Chorus, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All Collaborates with Team Congo PDX

We are excited to announce that Team Congo PDX is collaborating with Aurora Chorus on International Women's Day.

Aurora Chorus invites Team Congo to an International Women’s Day concert, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All, on Saturday, March 8. A chorus member will be on hand at the run with tickets and information. Aurora is donating the proceeds of the first 25 tickets sold at the run to Team Congo, and will have materials on Women for Women International available at the concert. Tickets are $10; see below for more details. 

 In this concert, Aurora will present voices from the past – women such as Abigail Adams, Virginia Woolf, and the South African women who first challenged apartheid. We will also look to the future with the world premiere of “I Am Malala,” featuring the words of Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old Pakistani girl who has taken a lead role in fighting for the right of every girl to receive an education, set to music by our director, nationally renowned choral composer Joan Szymko. Guest artist Anne Weiss will close out the concert with a set featuring her unique musical style inspired by folk, blues, and gospel, among other influences. 

Szymko spoke of her inspiration for writing "I Am Malala":  

"The name of the piece, “I Am Malala,” is the name of her memoir. And when she was shot, there were a lot of young people around the world standing up saying, “I am Malala. We’re all Malala,” with the idea that violence cannot stop the human spirit and the will to better oneself. For the text, I watched a lot of Malala on YouTube, selecting quotes and crafting a lyric. “I am afraid of no one” comes from a longer quote. She said, “I don't mind if I have to sit on the floor at school. All I want is education. And I'm afraid of no one.” And really, if you’ve been shot in the head and you survive—if you face that and come out on the other side—what happens to fear?" 

For the full interview, visit the chorus website at:  www.aurorachorus.org


Details:
Aurora Chorus, The Rising of the Women Is the Rising of Us All
Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 1126 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon
Tickets, $12, are available online at www.aurorachorus.org or by phone at 800-838-3006
Tickets will also be available at the door
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1444063655823168/

Day-of Raffle Items for Team Congo PDX's Group Walk/Run

RAFFLE, RAFFLE, RAFFLE

Each participant who registers for our charity event, which takes place on International Women's Day and benefits Women for Women International's Congo program, will automatically receive 2 raffle tickets so that they can enter to win one of the below day-of-event raffle prizes donated by our generous supporters and sponsors.  Participants may purchase additional raffle tickets for $2.00 each, 3 tickets for $5 or 10 tickets for $10 & all raffle proceeds will be credited to our event online fundraising page: 

Foot Traffic Gift Cards 
(4 available)

Print of Alpine Meadows by local photographer Joshua Johnston

Equal Exchange Congo Coffee
(Congo Coffee Project)

Women for Women International Lunch Tote (2 available)

Women for Women International pen & pen holder set (2 available)

Women for Women umbrella with logo & key chain 

(2 of each available)

Handmade Quilt by local quilter Becky Bent

(Ms. Bent's work will be on display all through May 2014 

at Common Grounds Coffee in Portland, OR)

1 Hour Aromatherapy - Spiritual Healing Session with event sponsor Kevin Putnam

Make sure to check back as we will add items as they are donated. See you on March 8th!