Girls Gotta Run Foundation—Ethiopia

Girls Gotta Run Foundation (GGRF) are an amazing non-profit organisation who focus on empowering young Ethiopian women through the encouragement of running and education. They invest in young women who aim to establish themselves as competitive runners and leaders within their communities.

With only 16% of Ethiopian girls going on to attend secondary school, and early marriage being the most prevalent factor in contributing to this, young women who are supported by GGRF are able to actively combat this alarming statistic. 24% of girls in Ethiopia are removed from school and are married by the age of just 15 even though it has been outlawed by the government. Girls who are supported by GGRF are ultimately training in order to avoid early marriage and pregnancy, and are consequently boosting their own personal economic opportunities. A few have gone on to win competitions and athletic scholarships, but most run in order to develop their sense of self, community, and to continue in full time education. With the help of the organisation, those involved are empowered through their growth in confidence and pursuit of excellence.

Since 2007, Girls Gotta Run Foundation have maintained strong partnerships with local and international organisations who have helped to develop projects that feed into this notion of empowerment. Our supplier Falcon Specialty kindly contributed $10,000 in 2015/16 through charitable donation, fundraising, and through sales of Ethiopia Rocko Mountain coffee. Each bag sold continues to help channel money into the project.

GGRF really are making an unfathomable difference to the lives of so many who are at a crucial point in their lives. It's an awesome organisation, and we are very proud to supply a coffee that has such a positive social impact. To find out more about individual success stories or get involved, please take a look at their website.