The day started early for the URBOND volunteers, who gathered at 5am, energised and ready for the third annual Dubreka semi-marathon. This annual event always hold a special significance, as its goal is to raise awareness about child education. After a quick coffee, the team made their way to the starting point, the local authority building, known as La Prefecture, where they were greeted by an eager crowd that included many of the children and parents benefiting from URBOND’s educational initiatives.

Participants pinned on their URBOND provided t-shirts and race numbers around 6:30am. At 7am, a warm-up session led by members of the Guinean sports federation kicked off the event. Music, dancing, and the traditional Mongo exercises set a lively tone, emphasising the importance of physical and mental health for all participants. This moment brought together not only the volunteers and participants but also underscored URBOND’s commitment to promoting education and well-being in the local community.

Throughout the 15-kilometre route, participants stopped at checkpoints where instructors led energising exercises, boosting morale and engagement among the runners. The marathon ended with a vibrant closing ceremony that included speeches, dancing, and music attended by more than 1,000 people, including local officials, sports ministry representatives, and the director of competitive sports in Guinea.

After a well-deserved break at the hotel, the volunteers returned for an afternoon focused on child education awareness. URBOND organised a basketball event featuring three games, including under-15, under-18, and adult matches. Despite the morning’s activities, community members showed up in impressive numbers to support the games.

Following the matches, 17 coaches who had been part of coaches training workshops received certifications, marking a significant achievement and celebrating the hard work of both the coaches and the programme organisers. With their new qualifications, these coaches are now equipped to deliver training to local children and students from nearby schools, contributing to the long-term sustainability of URBOND’s educational efforts in Guinea.

Day 11 ended on a high note, with volunteers, coaches, and local community members energised by the success of the events and hopeful about the impact these initiatives will have on future generations in Guinea.