Workout to raise awareness on human trafficking

Would you like to get fit while raising awareness about an important issue?

Katie Pattison-Hart, a Dubai-based resident and one of the five women who broke a world record by crossing the Atlantic Ocean unassisted in their "Row for freedom" campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking are continuing their efforts - and YOU can take part.

For the next 12 months, the 27 million project will announce physical challenges that will contribute to the overall aim of collecting 27 million reps to acknowledge the 27 million victims taken against their will and forced into slavery. Each meter ran, repetition performed, pound lifted is counted.

The project is in collaboration between the Row for Freedom team and the Crossfit gym, The Burn Room, in the United Arab Emirates.

Each month the challenge is different and announced ahead of time.

"The challenges are monthly although some months are proving difficult to rack up the numbers which means other smaller events will take place within the month," said Katie in an interview with 999fitness. "The first month [May] it was running. This month it's pounds lifted and next month it will be stairs climbed." 

Katie is working with UAE's government, The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking regarding ways they can help with local shelters. She added that the NCCHT have also seen a reduction in cases last year. 

"If people are more aware of the issue they will be more likely to report cases," said Katie. "And if we can also raise funds for the shelters that really need financial support we will be helping the victims in their recovery once rescued."

So put your training clothes and shoes on, and donate some reps!

For more information:

Donations: http://www.rowforfreedom.com/donate/
More on the 27 Million project, go to: http://www.facebook.com/groups/134974549961125/
Stats on UAE human trafficking, visit: http://www.nccht.gov.ae/en/home/index.aspx

Yours Truly,

Moments

Moments. What’s in a moment? The concept of a moment can be described in many ways. 

Scientifically, physically or emotionally.

To me, moments are a non-existing reality. An event that has happened, you remember it, but are no longer tangible – can be seen, touched, heard, smelled, or tasted. A moment that was once actual that becomes like melting ice that eventually dries up – with no mark.  

You’re probably wondering where I am going with this post.

Well, I have a habit – might I add, a mentally draining one – where I find moments, moments, I don’t want to let go of (for whatever reason), and I am often stuck in and begin to dissect them – trying to find an answer, a reason, just something, to understand the moment.

Recently, someone close to me – my grandfather – has passed away. All I could think of when I got the text message from my sister that read “He passed away...” is the moment. The moment I read about it, where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing. As I got into my car, drove home – I was still in denial. I understood what I was being told, but at that moment I didn’t want to comprehend it. 

That day – from going to the Masjid to the graveyard - there were moments, moments that separated what was real and what was surreal. For a moment, my grandfather was alive. He was there. But then there was that one moment – when I knew, really knew he no longer existed.

And I was stuck in that moment. 

I felt anger, denial, grief, sadness...and I am still dealing with acceptance.

We all know that death is inevitable. It’s the “real” truth of life. I also know, our existing is temporary, but how often do we think of that? Think of the day we will die? We usually don’t. We carry on with our day as normal...

Wake up. Brush our teeth. Go to Work/University/School. Eat Lunch. Nap. Watch TV. Eat dinner. Sleep. Whatever it is. We do it every day.  

That day my grandfather passed away, I thought to myself – we just lost someone dear to us, we will mourn him, but...we have to move on? Eat, sleep, and go back to work – like nothing has really happened. Even though it did. 

He then becomes just a memory.

Then there is that one day – where you remember a special day, a conversation, a face expression, of your loved one who passed away – but you can no longer create another moment with them, and when you remember a previous memory it somehow dissolves away – you remember it, but the details starts to blur.

And then, there is that moment where you realize that one day that person will be YOU.

This...this is just one of my “moments” that I have been going through.

And here’s a newsflash – I get stuck in moments. I get stuck to the point I often forget that time has passed away. I get stuck in moments, because I want to hold on to them and not let go and not have them become just another distant memory.

Lately, to some, I have come across as aggressive and reckless. I admit. I have been. It’s because I have been stuck in a moment for such a long time and I can’t seem to let go and allow things to take their course naturally. 

This last month quite a few things has happened – from a high to going to Crossfit Asia Regionals, to lows, such as; the need to quit my full-time job, the passing away of my grandfather, and injuring my back which limited my training to a large degree (in my opinion.)

Through this last month, I realized by being in stuck in some “moments” didn’t allow me to create other moments, and I have been trying to break free. Although, I am still stuck in “one of the moments” that may or may not explain some of my reactions – all I know is, in life, there are no perfect or right moments for anything. 

I am well - living, breathing, walking, eating , probably talking bullsh*t right now? – All I know is that I should take each day as if it’s my last, because I never know if I will ever wake up the next day and see the sun again.

 

Leaving you all with a poem I wrote two years and a half ago...seemed relevant.

Because death is
nothing
but
a bleeding cord
waiting to be played.

Because life is
nothing
but
a last breath
about to be slaved.

No matter
what words
are to be said

about the stay
about the departure
It is all
a beginning’s
end. 

 

Ramadan Project: "UAE building a Better World"

Ramadan is approaching us soon and unfortunately many spend their time overeating, watching TV shows and socializing till midnight - often forgetting what Ramadan is all about, feeling for those less fortunate.

But this Ramadan, YOU have the chance to take part of a life-changing project where you can not only explore a new culture, but have the opportunity to make a real difference in a family's life - through building a house for families without proper shelter in Kenya & Jordan.

The Arab Youth Venture Foundation and the UNA-UAE operating under the World Federation of United Nations Associations teamed up to support the good work of Habitat for Humanity in their "Building a Better World Project 2012". The organziations are non-profit.

So I am calling out to all of those who enjoy volunteer work - both male and female! This project is going to be successful only through volunteer work & donations from the UAE community. So lets put our hands together and show our spirit in helping those in need!

Project details for Kenya:

WHO: Needed a team of (10 minimum to 40 maximum) UAE male volunteer builders, ages 18+
WHAT: A 10-day mission to build a home and deed for African families in need + 1 day safari
WHERE: Africa, Kenya
WHEN: 3-12 of August, 2012 or 21-30 of August, 2012. Includes return date.
COST:  17,950/person (inclusive of: donations, accommodation, tickets, visa...etc)

Project details for Jordan:

WHO: Needed a team of (10 minimum to 20 maximum) UAE female volunteer builders, ages 18+
WHAT: A 7 day mission to build and deed a home for an Arab family + cultural activities
WHERE: Middle East, Jordan
WHEN: 3-9 of August, 2012. Includes return date.
COST: 12,950/person (inclusive of: donations, accommodation, tickets,...etc)

*Wanted: individuals with some muscles and heart, but don't worry - no construction experience or hard skills are required!

Why should YOU take part?

Each one of you will have a different answer. Giving your time and effort to build a home that provides basic shelter, safety, privacy to someone in need is a personal decision, but giving back to society - even not your own - can impact each one of you differently, but it will definitely be a life-changing experience with long-term impact.


So if you're interested in more details about the project, organizations involved, nature of volunteering, and costs/donations, drop me a line at info@999fitness.ae and I will supply you with full details.

Yours Truly,
Amna Al Haddad