works for the short-term - at most, around six to eight weeks - and so it is more sustainable to give a ‘hand-up’ instead. Cruse now implements these hand-ups through Race4Good; and by harnessing the power of the fresh young brains of children, Cruse was able to make a change she wanted, using a fun competition for students around the world which uplifts communities in need. She called this the ‘Race4Good’.
Race4Good in Action Race4Good supports both of the parties involved in the competition. The students participating get to learn about religion, geography, history, business, effective teamwork, and more, while the family being uplifted is given a chance to become independent and is empowered through the application of winning solutions. These are implemented quickly (within two days), so students are able to see the effects of their efforts in action.
One of the most recent examples of such sustainable solutions can be seen in the rural village of Ghufa Pokhari (Nepal). The 2020 Race4Good challenge was to economically uplift the Bishwakarma family with a budget of 400 GBP after the Nepal Earthquake. Prior to the earthquake, Raju Bishwakarma was a blacksmith, supporting a wife, Tulsi, and their two young children. Using the powerful combination of innovation and empathy, teams thought of a range of ways in which to uplift the family. The winning team, the Prince of Wales Island International School, came up with a number of business plans that have been implemented. Some of their plans include goat rearing opportunities for several families, a weaving cooperative managed by a women’s group, an introduction of traditional looms and a yak to provide cheese and clothing. From these ingenious ideas from the team, the family is now
One of the many families who have been raised by Race4Good
economically independent. This clearly shows how a hand-up is far more effective in the long run than a hand out, and how a few, wellplanned ideas can change a whole community. The next region to be influenced by Race4Good will be a remote community in Haiti. Why does Race4Good focus on small communities? What is its ultimate end goal? Race4Good’s ethos is centered around a few main objectives: uplifting communities, reflecting inspiration, and also developing key skills in students. All of these are very important parts of the organisation, and not one is more important than another. Cruse is a firm believer that charities should focus on empowerment rather than financial aid. Of course, the ultimate end goal here is to support and enable all human life to thrive. This is done through all of Race4Good’s objectives: the uplifting builds strong, stable roots in poorer countries as more families and communities are able to thrive independently, and students are able to grow up with the mindset to make meaningful change. By empowering one family at a time, Race4Good hopes to transform many lives forever.
“A lovely, heart-warming opening that uses the enticing headline to
great effect. The article shines with warmth from its opening line and encourages the reader to want to know more.” - Judges of the Race4Good Journalism Competition, Sally Flint, Linda Cruse, and Andy Homden THE FOBISIAN: February 2022, Term 2, Issue 38
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