Women’s Run Across the Serengeti to Raise Funds for Female Empowerment
The Grumeti Fund in partnership with BRAVE are proud to announce an exclusive, all-woman, five-day, 90km run across the Serengeti wilderness to raise funds for girl and women empowerment programmes. This unique event, being held from October 19th – 24th, forms part of Singita’s brand-new collection of conservation safaris called Safaris with a Purpose.
Women and girls in rural communities like those bordering the 350,000 acre reserve face a range of challenges in everyday life, not least of all being a lack of access to quality education and support for small businesses. According to the United Nations, poverty is the primary barrier to education for girls, more so than cultural resistance or gender inequality but girls who complete primary and secondary education tend to marry later, have smaller families and earn significantly higher wages. Some of the positive outcomes include faster economic growth, improved maternal and infant health and lower incidences of HIV/AIDS.
One of the focus areas for the Grumeti Fund is addressing this very issue, which is done through secondary school, vocational studies and university scholarships, life skills and enterprise development training, environmental education and internships. Helping to create the next generation of female leaders in conservation is the specific focus of the fundraising being done through the multi-stage race at Grumeti, which provides 20 participants with an opportunity to make a profound contribution to this cause.
The run will take place over three consecutive days, taking participants along an approximately 90km route through the iconic Serengeti grasslands. A total of five nights will be spent in the concession, staying at Singita Explore; a luxurious, exclusive-use tented safari camp with a prime position to view pristine wilderness and the wildlife of the Serengeti. From exceptional food to sophisticated wine pairings from Singita’s world-renowned wine collection, to evenings around the campfire, Singita delivers a guest experience that is recognised internationally for its unrivalled standards.
Each evening, guests can enjoy guided game drives, exploring the plains and getting up close to the astounding wildlife that flourish in this protected area, and have the chance to engage with girls from the local community who will ultimately benefit from this fundraising event. The final day will also include a visit to the Grumeti Fund’s law enforcement headquarters and a special introduction to the anti-poaching teams and the canine unit. It is a very special opportunity to see the work of the Fund first-hand and get a sense of how far-reaching the impact of our partners and donors can be.
The time is ripe for issues of female empowerment – with a worldwide women’s rights movement gathering momentum across all industries, the support and upliftment of women and girls is no longer an exercise in token representation; it’s now an absolute imperative for the advancement of society. Initiatives like those undertaken by our non-profit event partner, BRAVE, which uses the challenge of travel and adventure to create opportunities for girls to become future leaders, are essential to moving these issues forward. India Baird, founder of BRAVE believes that “being a part of this first ever BRAVE-Grumeti Fund run will change the face of conservation in this area by creating significant opportunities for girls to become influential leaders in their communities.”
Participants in this event will experience five nights at Singita Explore and have exclusive access to Singita’s private concessions in the Serengeti, offering incredible up-close wildlife encounters. Discounted rates of $5,625 per person for the all-inclusive five-night accommodation package (excludes transfers and flights). Plus a tax-deductible donation of $15,000 per person, which will be used to fund women’s empowerment and leadership programmes in the local community. You can register for the run here or please contact Katherine Cunliffe to get involved: KatherineC@grumetifund.org
