Inspired by participating in a local ParkRun (parkrun.com.au) event in Australia, Tavares Chimbili decided that he should replicate this activity in the province of Huambo, in the interior of Angola.
The concept of ParkRun is "a free, weekly, 5k and 2k community event in open spaces around the world." It is an activity that promotes physical and mental well being through exercise, and inclusion through different modalities and ways of participating - running, walking, watching, and supporting as a volunteer.
Tavares began replicating the event once a month in 2016, at the a green space called the Estufa in the city of Huambo. Then he moved the event to the grounds of the Chilume Evangelical Mission, in Bailundo. Finally, in 2018, the Family Running and Walking activity (ParkRun) found its home on the banks of the Kulele (Colele) River in Bailundo. Here, in addition to the running itself, young people also have a place where they can play and have contact with sports such as tennis, badmilton, volleyball, frisbee, basketball and football. There is also a literature area set up each week with books to read.
Since 2019, this event has taken place weekly, managed by volunteers. Normally there is the event organizer, and other volunteers including: a timer, notetaker (registering the runners), banana/fruit distributor, manager of the books in the reading area, and the tail walker (so that no one gets lost on the track!). Sometimes we receive visitors who give talks on the themes of the month, for example, nurses who talk about breast cancer during Pink October, and prostate cancer during Blue November.
The Kulele Run and Walk is an open space for everyone, which promotes healthy and inclusive leisure, sport and cultural activities.
On June 29, 2024, we celebrated 8 years of Family Running and Walking with event number 236. Votoka is proud to support this program and is inspired by the effort that enabled this event to grow. We hope to continue supporting this event and the young people it serves.
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