Islander to run three half marathons to support African tourism student

Monday 14 March 2022

Islander Elisa Cañas, who says she doesn't like running, is planning to take on three half marathons to help a young African in search of further education.

She started the fundraiser after spending time in Africa, where she met Nathan Godoya from Nkhata Bay in Malawi.

He told her how he wanted to further his education, by taking a Diploma at the Malawi Institute of Tourism, but could not afford to go and study

"I was fortunate enough to spend most of 2017 in various parts of Africa, the majority of which was in Nkhata Bay. One day, during a walk through the beautiful countryside I met Nathan Godoya, a student studying at one of the private secondary schools near his village. We became friends immediately and he taught me so much about life in rural Malawi and his culture. He introduced me to his Grandmother who was raising him as his parents had relocated to South Africa, a common scenario in rural Malawi, to work and send money home for him and his siblings. His Mum was away for 6 years in total. His Dad is still in South Africa, supporting the family from afar.

"Recently Nathan was facing the same path as his parents and so many others from his community. During a recent conversation he told me of his plans to sell his phone in order to buy a passport and travel to South Africa in order to pick up work there as his secondary education had been completed but no further funding was available to advance him on to further education."

"This to me seemed a terrible waste of a brilliant student who I knew would no doubt flourish if he had the means to continue with his studies" Elisa mentioned on her fundraiser page. 

Photo: Elisa will be preparing for her first run in Jersey next week.

Now, she is taking on three half marathons to show people that she is dedicated to this cause. "I wanted to show people that I am committed and also to Nathan to show how much it means to me".

The first half marathon will take place on Saturday 19th March. Elisa is hoping to raise £3,000 to fund three year's worth of education, including accommodation.

"Living costs £20 per month and school is £400 a year.  I don't think people are aware of how different costs are over there."

Picture: Hospitality firm have purchased a laptop for Nathan to use when he attends further education in hopes of securing a Diploma in Tourism.

Moved by the story, a company in London which deals with luxury hotels wanted to sponsor Nathan and purchase his laptop to help him with his studies. They also intend to link Nathan up with people in the industry to help gain work experience in hopes of getting him a job in the future.