At the present time the world is facing an unprecedented crisis and, as a result, many countries have implemented drastic measures in order to cope with the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

In Central America we have been in lockdown for the last few days with government-imposed curfews and massive shortages in the shops of the most basic supplies.  This is now true for many countries around the world.

Thanks to your donations we have been able to buy supplies for the 70 families we are caring for in Guatemala and Honduras.  Each family will be receiving a large care package for the next two weeks that will include some of the basic food supplies that the families need in order to survive.

Even the all-powerful Pointing from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies.

The doorbell rings at the Street Kids Direct Protection Home in Guatemala City and when Duncan answers it he finds little Kevin is standing there in the street and looking very hot, covered in sweat and looking down at his feet in embarrassment.

One of the young people that we had worked hard to keep off the streets, enter into rehab and consider how he could achieve his childhood dreams, sadly passed away at the central hospital here in the capital this week.

Our history with Christchurch goes back to 1981 when Duncan arrived in the town and became a Christian there.

Shortly after, Duncan began to help run the church youth club and from there went to theological college and then to work as a youth worker at St.Leonard´s Church in Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire.  It was there that Duncan received the challenge and call to work with street kids and in 1992 moved to Guatemala and began working on the streets of Guatemala City, the capital.

Thank you Christhchurch for your amazing support over so many years.

WATCH THE SERVICE HERE

We are so very thankful to all those who have donated online to our appeal for basic food supplies for 70 vulnerable families in Honduras and Guatemala.  We will continue to deliver food over the next few weeks and support the children with their at-home schoolwork and offer counselling to those who are finding these times very difficult.

Your support really does changes lives, thank you.

WATCH THANK YOU VIDEO HERE

Damaris lives in Guatemala City and for years suffered neglect and abuse.  Now her life is very different and despite how hard it is for her to tell her story, she does so leaving us feeling very excited about her future full of hope.  

Thanks to your support this work is possible.

WATCH THE VIDEO 

Danilo now has committed his life to helping other children going through the challenging childhood he experienced on the rubbish dump in Guatemala City.

WATCH THE VIDEO 

Rhys Aitchison and Will Vyse had planned to fly 8760km to Guatemala City in May this year to volunteer with Street Kids Direct to support vulnerable children in Guatemala and Honduras.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 their trip was cancelled and with Guatemala's borders still being closed to travellers, Rhys and Will have decided to attempt to cycle one tenth of the distance (876km) to raise money for Street Kids Direct.

Rhys and Will said: "Anyone who knows us will be very aware that we are not professional cyclists but we have began our training with a ride to London and a few 50km rides so fingers crossed! We will set off from Amersham and hopefully arrive at the Lake District within 3/4 days before turning round and heading back to complete the distance. We will keep you updated with regular video updates but you can also track our progress and see how far we've covered each day on this page."

Rhys and Will plan to complete the trip around mid-July, but this will be dependant on lockdown measures being eased and campsites being open.

All money raised will be donated to Street Kids Direct who work with children experiencing extreme poverty in Honduras and Guatemala.

SPONSOR THEM HERE

BACKROUND BY SUE

I have had the privilege of working in an environment that sees raw life, where nothing is hidden from sight and the reality sometimes hard to face.

I do believe that working together with others who hold a common aim and purpose together achieve change. The areas of safeguarding and prevention are not just words but when put into practice can transform lives.

Working with street kids has been on my heart for many years as well as Central and South America. Sometime between 1998 and 2001 there were stories coming out of Honduras and Brazil of the horrors street kids were facing and I followed the stories through other non- profit organisations who were trying to affect change in very difficult circumstances. I became aware of street kids direct over the years and have been interested in the projects and work they do as they not only deal with kids physically on the street but also support - schooling, family life, health. Focusing on prevention is key. Also reading the success stories, it’s not about a quick fix but about long term change, a new direction in life, a chance of a life with opportunities and choice.

So to my challenge..........

I plan on walking the length of the UK, Lands End to John O’Groats using as many national trails and long distance footpaths as I can. I was planning to do this as one epic adventure but due to covid which has affected us all I have decided to bring the trip forward and attempt it in stages using whatever leave I can. 

Total mileage on paper is 1428 and I would like to raise a pound a mile, so allowing for diversions rounded up to 1500.

THE ROUTE

SW coast path south side Lands End to Plymouth, Wembury  170 miles

Devon coast to coast incorporating the Erme Plym trail and The Two Moors Way, Wembury to Lynmouth 117 miles 

SW coast path north side Lynnouth to Minehead 22 miles 

Somerset Way, Mineheqd to Bath 116 miles

Cotswold Way, Bath to Chipping Campden 102 miles 

Heart of England Way, Boughton on the Water to Cannock Chase 101 miles (overlap with Cotswold Way)

Cannock Chase Heritage trail, Cannock Chase to Rugeley 10 miles 

Staffordshire Link, Rugeley to Thorpe 27 miles

White Peak Way circular (part of) Thorpe to Edale 35 miles 

Pennine Way, Edale to Kirk Yetholm 268 miles

Scottish National trail, Kirk Yetholm to Milngavie 143 miles 

West Highland Way, Milngavie to Fort William 96 miles 

Great Glen coast to coast, Fort William to Inverness 74 miles 

John O'Groats coastal walking trail,  Inverness to John O'Groats 147 miles 

Planned start date is July 2020 provided restrictions for camping/staying overnight are lifted.

Further updates will follow, so please follow me on my journey...............

SPONSOR SUE HERE