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KIMBIA! KIMBIA!
Girls After-school Running Activity by Susan Giles
Susan Giles has found a way to ensure that the children in her life have a club that gives them the base for a healthy lifestyle. Here's a great example of the power of a leader's dedication to youth. - Carol Goodrow, KR Editor |
Kimbia, Kimbia! This means run in Kiswahili! I am a Grade 2 teacher at the International School of Tanganyika in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and run an after-school activity for girls in Grade 4 and 5. I started Kimbia, Kimbia in August as a motivation for girls to exercise and feel good about themselves. As an adolescent, I was not encouraged to exercise, and physical activity scared me to death! I wanted to provide a safe, girls-only running club where girls would feel like they could achieve anything! The club has taken off, and we are getting ready to run our second race of the school year.
We meet once a week for an hour after school and always start with an activity centered around self esteem, good nutrition and self confidence. From there we stretch, do some fun relays and then finish with our running workout.
We completed our first 5k run in December, and the girls were amazing! I was expecting times of 40 minutes and up and our fastest time was 31 minutes! Following that first 5k run, the club grew and we are up to 28 members.
Our next event is the IST Biathlon at the Secondary School. We have been invited as a group to participate in the running leg of the event. There will be boys and girls from grade 6-12 participating. When I asked the girls if they were nervous competing with older kids, they just laughed and said, "No way...we will be great!" I love their self confidence!
My daughter is 5, and running is coming naturally to her because she hears so much about the girls running club. When I look at her and see her desire to run and be active, I know I am part of a powerful group of young girls who are already influencing the younger generation. These girls are amazing athletes, and I look forward to another year of running, laughing, and just being a part of their lives!
Susan Giles
sgiles@istafrica.com
International School of Tanganyika
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
EMAI: rwedit@rodale.com