Canadian Humanitarian’s Test of Humanity challenge goes virtual

Understanding that businesses and individuals are in a different financial position.

Adding that it’s been challenging to bring in funds, especially for international organizations.

She says the Medicine Hat founded charity is still holding their Test of Humanity event, but it will be virtual for the month of June.

Originally it was a bike race held for many years in Summerland, B.C.

The goal is to “walk around the world” by collectively raising $40,000. Each dollar represents one kilometre to symbolically walk around the world.

Skogen says funds raised will help support critically needed programs in Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Malawi.

“We’ve also opened it up that it is not just biking. So whatever fitness or movement goal is motivating for someone they can set that goal for themselves. And we’re really hoping that this is not just a fundraising effort but also a way for the community of Medicine Hat and beyond to come together, support each other, and work collectively towards a goal and create a sense of unity again and create a sense of community.”

For the month of June, participants will set a move goal and fundraising goal. They are encouraged to collect support via pledges through social media, friends, and family.

The virtual challenge will wrap up on Canada Day.

Skogen says they have a big network of support in the city, being they are Medicine Hat founded non-profit organization.

“We’re just always blown away by the support we receive from Medicine Hat and the excitement shown for our different initiatives. Normally this time of year we’d be doing colour runs and a gala in the fall. So we’re hoping that it will continue to carry that energy in this virtual format as well,” she said.

The virtual challenge has also created more ways for people around the world to participate, including their students in Ethiopia.

Co-Founder Canadian Humanitarian Deborah Northcott says they were founded in 2003 and received charitable licensing in 2004 and have been based in Medicine Hat since the beginning.

She and her husband adopted two children in Ethiopia in 1994 and that was their first experience of being in a developing country and seeing what the realities are for children.

The couple felt like they needed to do something more after the adoption.

Their kids are now close to their 30’s. Their daughter is married and has a child. The Northcott’s have seven children altogether; five birth and two adoptions.

She says the Test of Humanity will also be working with the Real Girl Foundation in the U.S which has girl and boy empowerment programs.

Northcott says she knows there are many local concerns, but appreciates the support of people joining the online challenge.

“But if you can imagine how it is for a child in a third world country going through COVID when already things were difficult and now this adds another layer of fear and uncertainty to their future. Their life is a little more precarious than ours, we spent COVID in a comfortable house with grocery stores that have food and that’s not the reality for them. So I would just really appreciate that people would consider supporting this and helping children who are really struggling as they face the uncertainty of COVID-19.”

To sign up and make a pledge visit the Test of Humanity website or Facebook page.

A release from Canadian Humanitarian states: Spring/summer at Canadian Humanitarian is usually full of colour runs and bike races, and those events help bring in over $120,000 every year to support our after-school centers in Ethiopia. With COVID-19 protocols in place, we have obviously had to cancel/postpone all of these events.

by Chantal Wagner

Canadian Humanitarian’s Test of Humanity challenge goes virtual

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