Anne Morrissette is going for a walk in July. It’s going to last about 10 days and cover between 150 to 200 miles.

In the Northern Frontier District of Kenya.

Morrissette, a frequent patron of the Goochland Family YMCA, said she was recruited by Elk Hill School Director Michael Farley to take part in this year’s Proper Walk, which is the largest fundraiser for the Makindu Children’s Program (MCP), a 501c-3 supporting the Makindu Children’s Centre (MCC). The MCC is a day use facility that cares for more than 400 AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in Makindu.

Farley, a former Peace Corps volunteer in the late 70s stationed in East Africa, is the founder of Proper Walk.

“For the last four years Michael has talked to me about it,” said Morrissette, 27, during an interview last week at the Goochland YMCA. “I’ve signed up to raise $14,000,” she said.
Four thousand will go to paying for her expenses to fund her trip to Kenya, with the remaining $10,000 going to the MCP, day use facility that cares for more than 400 AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in Makindu.

A stay-at-home mom with a 21-month old son, Morrissette said at first her husband Lee was against her making the trip. The couple live in Powhatan, where Lee owns Pointe Masonry.

“The first time I told him he said I was crazy,” she recalled. “But now he supports me.”

Why is she going?

Morrissette said she wanted to “experience true compassion for humanity by alleviating the burden of kids who have been far less fortunate than I,” when pressed for her motivation. “Positively affecting someone’s life is the pinnacle of all accomplishment for me.”

It’s not a commitment that one undertakes likely. Although no one has ever died on the trek, conditions can be difficult. Temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees. To prepare, Morrissette will have to get a series of inoculations.

The physical exertion involved doesn’t seem to worry her. Trim and in shape, she said she recently completed a 40-mile run in Covington.

“I’m just crazy when it comes to exercise,” she said.

To find out more about the MCP, go to their Web site at www.makindu.org.

Those who would like to make a donation will find a link on that site.

For others who might like to help fund Morrissette’s trip, contact her by email at Anneb1232000@yahoo.com.