Fri, 11/28/2014 - 00:00

(28 November 2014)—“A peaceful, prosperous and just world in which sports is a unifying and livelihood factor” is the vision of Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation (TLPF) in Kenya. The organization was established by Tegla Loroupe, a renowned athlete who has dedicated her track and field achievements to promote peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development in Kenya. In January 2014, Tegla Loroupe was awarded a Philanthropy Award donated by Wärtsilä together with Crisis Management Initiative organization. The donation has been used to support an orphanage in Kenya. “We are extremely grateful for Wärtsilä’s support. The donation we received has been used to purchase bedding, mostly comforters and mattresses, as well as food. All children deserve good education. When the school can offer food, a place to sleep at night and the opportunity to play, the children are eager to go to school,” said Tegla Loroupe in November. The Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy Center is located in Kapenguria in eastern Kenya near the Ugandan border. The school has more than 300 children, between 7 and 15 years old. Some of them are orphans, and some come from such poor families that without the center’s help they would not go to school. There are also children coming to the school from the village. Children are encouraged to continue studies even after they leave the TLPF school. However, for most children the schools are too far away, which is why the Peace Academy aims to have also high school and vocational school. As sports are close to Tegla Loroupe’s heart, she encourages children to play and run. “We don’t have a real sports ground here, but it is possible to run and play football also on the field. We have built a playground for the children, and our dream is to have a sports field of our own as well as more accommodation and teaching facilities,” she said. “The lack of material and facilities is chronic and it slows down our activities. However, we are very grateful for all the support and help we have received—it is crucial for the future of the children,” she said. One of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy’s activities is the annual “peace race,” which aims to reduce the tension between the eight tribes in the area. From running star to champion for peace, the story of Tegla Loroupe is legendary and inspiring. In her athlete career, she was a three-time world half-marathon champion and a two-time world marathon record holder. Meanwhile, she is also the founder of TLPF and has dedicated her life to peace building, improvement of livelihoods of poor people affected by conflicts in the country.