For most people, getting outside for a walk is a good way to blow off some steam, alleviate tension, maybe burn a few calories and commune with nature for a short time.
For Pierrette Roy, taking a walk is about all those things – and so much more. And in Roy’s case, her walks don’t always end in the same province, let alone the same country.
Last year, Roy headed out on a walk from Canmore – and it took her to Vancouver Island. This week (May 5), she’s continuing that walk, but this time she will also raise funds for schoolgirls in Sierra Leone while spreading the word of peace and hope for children.
She’s dubbed this year’s outing the Freedom Walk for Peace and her goal is to raise $4,200 to send girls to school in Sierra Leone in conjunction with CAUSE Canada.
“I believe there should be no violence toward children,” said Roy. “I’d like to give them hope and believe in their dreams and live in a better world, free of violence.
“And I want to create awareness along the way by talking with people.”
Last year Roy, needing a change in her life, quit her job and completed her walk to Vancouver Island. On her return, her son, David Fafard, a CAUSE volunteer, said the next time she did something similar, she should take it a step further and make it a fundraising campaign.
Roy took her son’s advice and is making this year’s walk, which will carry her 2,200 kilometres down the western U.S. seaboard on Route 101 to San Diego, both a fundraiser and awareness campaign.
“I’ve thought about doing something like this for six years,” she said. “I decided it’s now or never. I’ve walked in Europe, Asia, Central America and Australia, Indonesia and Papua, New Guinea. Three things drive me to live: Peace, freedom and travelling.
“I’ve travelled solo on backpacking trips, stayed with many families in remote villages and I’ve seen poverty up close. It’s one of the reasons I want to help girls in Sierra Leone.”
Everything Roy needs will be aboard a Chariot stroller and she plans to camp along the way where she can. She estimates walking to San Diego from about Duncan, B.C. will take five months.
The girls Roy has in mind, in particular, to assist in Sierra Leone are from Koinadugu, “the poorest district in the country. They have no access to school and I want to raise enough funds to help 10 girls – that would be for school, uniforms, shoes and food for a year ($4,200).
“I strongly believe in peace, freedom and solidarity and in people being kind to others. I’m going to depend on people’s generosity and ask for some hospitality and meals as I go. I always feel safe when I’m travelling and there are always little miracles along the way.
“I always listen to my intuition and things work out. I’m lucky I have a very supportive family and they respect the way I choose to live my life.”
Along the way, Roy also hopes to contact media outlets to let her walk be known.
“It’s an adventure. When I walk I feel at peace and connected with Earth and nature. I like meeting people, talking with them and find out about what they’re doing.
“And, for a walk like this, I think when you do something good, you attract good. I’ve seen poverty and I want to make a change for some of the girls in Sierra Leone. Girls who get an education get married later, have fewer children and start small businesses; education really helps them in life.
“We’re so rich in Canada and there are others who have nothing. I want to help them.”
For more on Roy’s walk, or to donate, visit www.cause.ca/causekids/fundraising-friends-pierrette-roys-freedom-walk-for-peace
Roy will also be posting about her walk to a blog at www.freedomwalkforpeace.com
