Suzgo’s on the run for SCIAF

Falkirk teacher Suzgo Ndhlovu has been running all his life – and will now put his fitness to good use by running the Edinburgh marathon for SCIAF.

Suzgo hails from Zambia, one of the countries we operate in, and is a Biology teacher at St Mungos’ High in Falkirk.

He said:

“If the circumstances of one’s birth and early childhood are anything to go by in determining the person’s destiny, then I should not be who I am and where I am today, living and teaching in Scotland. I grew up in the remote part of Zambia where the sort of life I am experiencing now, could only be thought of in a dream. Looking back now, life was hard and challenging.

“I used to run to school, approximately 12 kilometres, barefoot and under the scorching African sun. Each school day I would leave home at dawn and return only at dusk. During lunch break, I would sit under a mango tree - out of season – with nothing to fill my belly.”

Suzgo has lived in Scotland for 16 years and always knew that education was the way to a better life.

He said:

“In my 22 years of teaching, in Zambia, Swaziland and Namibia and now in Scotland, I have touched the lives of thousands of young people, who have gone on to become doctors, teachers, engineers, nurses and many other professions. Above all, I hope, good citizens.

“Over the past five years we have raised in excess of £20,000 which has gone to build a primary school in rural and deprived part of Zambia. Now I have decided to support SCIAF and all the great work they do in Zambia, other African countries as wall as Colombia and Cambodia. In my school we always support the WEE BOX Lenten appeal, so this is just an extension of that.

“My dream is to make education accessible to every child, to campaign against early marriages amongst girl children and reduce poverty. This is very much in line with their work, so I hope to raise as much as possible.”

Suzgo has always been fit and runs 10k every day, before and after work.

“The longest I have run is 31k, so I hope Sunday is not too much of a shock to me. The children in school have also been really supportive,” Suzgo added.

“Scotland is my second home and I have learned a lot here. I also could never have raised so much charity money without the kindness of Scots and I hope to keep going and raise lots more.”

Suzgo has raised around £780 for SCIAF so far. Amazing work!