St Mary’s member Jerry Marshall is to paddle 20 miles up the River Weaver on a giant inflatable cow, to raise money for life-changing work in Burundi.
The challenge aims to raise awareness and funds for projects creating enterprise solutions to poverty: helping some of the poorest people on the planet create income streams that put food on the table, while maintaining dignity and avoiding dependence.
Jerry plans to complete the journey 22–23 August, paddling the entire Weaver Navigation from Marsh Lock near Runcorn to Winsford. Progress will depend on wind strength and direction, but a timetable has been published with stopping points to provide opportunities for others to stop by or join in.
Jerry Marshall, founder of the charity Transformational Enterprise Network, said:
“Our partners Ezechiel and Nicola in Burundi lead extraordinary projects tackling poverty in Burundi, the second poorest nation or earth.
“TEN is a community seeking enterprise solutions to poverty. Our partners Ezechiel and Nicola Hatungimana in Burundi lead brilliant projects in Burundi, the second poorest nation or earth, from training Batwa women to start small income streams to linking aspiring entrepreneurs with investors through a high-profile national conference.
“But they have struggled to cover costs. Their son cried when they sold the family cows to cover expenses. Weaver-by-cow may be mad but if we can help them help others build sustainable futures, then every paddle stroke will be worthwhile.”
Jerry will be supported by his family in their 57ft semi-trad narrowboat Still Waters.
More information about the challenge, its route and the Burundi projects it supports can be found at weaver-by-cow.uk
