Published

August 20, 2021

Aurelija’s Walk

Aurelija's Walk for Women Campaign

I plan to walk a half marathon, get up the next day and do the same, then again for the next 33 days (780 kilometers in total).

Please follow my journey on Facebook or Instagram.

Want to know WHY?

A year ago, I volunteered at Leadership Mission International (LMI) in Honduras - a country labelled “one of the most dangerous places on Earth to be a woman”.

  • Every 16 to 18 hours a woman is killed in Honduras.
  • 96% of murders of women go unpunished.
  • There is widespread sexism and machismo attitudes – the belief that a woman is weak and suited only for domestic work – and, as a result, only 3 out of 10 women find jobs to support themselves.
  • Women are more likely to suffer from extreme poverty, as they make up the majority of Hondurans who survive on less than $2 a day.

LMI is one of very few organizations in Honduras providing leadership and educational programs for women who don’t have the possibility or funds to continue their education, including providing food and accommodation, so that girls have a chance most take for granted – to learn enough to be able to get a job.

Donate to "Walk for Women"

Meet Keylin: A woman with a shocking story that your donations will have a life-changing impact on.

At an early age, Keylin had to make a life-changing decision – since her family did not have enough money to pay for her to go to school, she could go to live in an orphanage where she would get the possibility to attend a school or stay home with her family with her loving mother and siblings.

What would you have chosen? 

She left her family and went to live in the orphanage. As her mother could not afford visits to the orphanage, communication with her family was limited and much time was spent working around the orphanage.

Keylin is a hard worker and she managed to finish school, but then she had to face the harsh reality that it is almost impossible to get a job without a college education, which she could not afford. Luckily, she got an opportunity to study at LMI Honduras where girls receive higher education, including learning English, and afterwards they are able to change the lives of their families, communities, and the nation as a whole. 

From LMI graduates, over 20% have started their own businesses whilst others work at global non-profit organizations or are pursuing further education.

This is only one story and there are many girls like Keylin.

Young women in Honduras are fighting every day for the possibility to get their education.

In order to finish school, some girls must walk 5 hours every day to get to school, whilst others have to get up at 4 am to do their domestic work and then afterwards go directly to the school.

I am a true believer that in order to solve the poverty, we have to start from the roots of the problem: a lack of education!

Why I Am Walking 780 km & Where to Follow My Journey

2 years ago on the Way of Saint James, which is a pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, I made the decision to teach in Honduras.

The last time I walked for 200 km, but this year, on the 20th of August 2021, I will be walking 780 kilometers over the span of 33 days beginning in France and finishing in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia in Spain.

I am dedicating this to my girls in Honduras by raising money, of which 100% will directly go to support a young girl that did not have the amazing opportunities we take for granted here in Europe.

I will be paying all my own costs, which is why 100% of the money raised will go directly to the charity and to support young girls’ education.

I will be posting regular updates of my journey that you can follow along via LMI’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

What Your Donation Will Mean

Something that for you may be a small amount of money can have a real impact on a young girl's life!

  • If you donate 1 cent per km – $7.80 total – it is 1 month of water for one student.
  • If you donate 4 cents per km – $31.20 total – it is 1 week of water, housing, wifi, electricity, and healthcare for one student.
  • If you donate 15 cents per km – $117 total – it is 1 month of water, housing, wifi, electricity, and healthcare for one student.
  • If you donate 1 dollar per km – $780 total – it is 3 months of education for one student.

If you would like to make even a bigger change and donate a recurring monetary amount, please follow the link give.leadershipmission.org

“An individual can make a difference...
A team can make a miracle.”

Thank you so much for your help!

I know things have been hard at the moment, but this small amount will change someone’s life.
Many thanks
Aurelija