Children of Peru Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt charity based in New York and is dedicated to building a better future for children in Peru. They raise funds to make grants to a select group of non-governmental organizations working in Peru to provide better health care and education for children.

The more I read about the organization, the more I was sold. From 2006 to 2008 I lived in Peru, and worked in the rural community of Yuracyacu. I spent two years working in the small caserio in the department of Cajamarca.

. I could raise money for an organization to help the country I consider to be my second home. It was daunting – the 2017 runners had to raise $5,000. Could I do it? Five thousand dollars seemed like a lot, but I had about a year to do it, it seemed. What was the alternative?

I had two choices – either commit to run for Children of Peru Foundation in 2018, or wait for the lottery and see if I got an entry. If I didn’t get an entry, I’d have to either skip London, or try again the following year. It was too risky.

It was the end of March and the 2017 London Marathon had yet to happen. I had no idea how competitive the charity entries were, but I didn’t want to chance it. I decided to contact Children of Peru Foundation about charity entries for 2018.