Running 26.2 miles to effect change

We champion community-driven development, working with disadvantaged communities not for them. That difference in wording may be slight but it means a great deal. It means dignity. You've all heard the phrase, "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime", well that's exactly what AzuKo does through the power of design.

But we couldn't do it without our truly wonderful supporters and that's why we like to shout about them. We have two runners taking on 26.2 miles at the Paris marathon this Sunday. We spoke to Justin Brown, Founder of native north architects, to find out why he's taking on this mammoth challenge in support of our infrastructure project in JBM slum.

(Photo: J. Ashbridge)

• Who are you?

I'm a 30 year old Scotsman living and working in London. I'm generally found to be practicing architecture, doing / watching sport or eating. Preferably the latter. Always in search of really good coffee and generally most at rest during cinema sessions.

THE BIG CHALLENGE

• So, you've signed up to run the Paris marathon, do you know what you're getting yourself in for?

Absolutely not. I think my longest official run was a non-negotiable slog around a playing field at secondary school in full whites. That was back in a time my legs were also apparently made of rubber and yet to be introduced to the concept of pain. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a bit excited about the medal and free t-shirt.

• Have you done anything like this before?

Not so much on the running side. I've never run a marathon and never wanted to... not sure how this happened!? I've done some cycle touring which generally consists of promises to friends to cycle the length of France and then actually packing life into two pannier bags and saddling up. I'm not counting that as suitable relevant experience.

(Photo: J. Harkness)

WHY?

• What made you sign up?

“It’s an opportunity to take stock of how fortunate we are. I have the ability to give something back to those who find themselves in more challenging circumstances.”

I'm told pain is temporary but this marathon training is trying very hard to break that theory.

• Tell us a little bit about the project you're raising money for?

The very worthy cause is to design a community drainage system in Jogen Babu Maath, which is an urban slum in northwest Bangladesh. I'm particularly motivated by it because it's not a project where help comes in temporary form and makes its escape swiftly after. This project is unique in that it offers continuity. It's a need that has been identified by the community and they will be the ones who are empowered through training and leadership skills to improve their own future. If you haven't already, donate now!

• Why does it matter?

Water and sanitation are an unconscious privilege that we all take for granted every day of our lives in the UK. Think about it - you wake up, go to the loo, take a shower, brush your teeth, make a hot drink - all not possible without drainage infrastructure. It matters hugely when it's not there.

• How can design improve lives?

Design has extraordinary potential to change lives, case and point being Thomas Edison's light bulb. The second beautiful reality is that everyone is a designer, so capable to effect change. Captured in one of my favourite quotes:

“The best way to predict the future is to design it.”

— Buckminster Fuller

JOURNEY SO FAR

• How's the training going? What's your schedule?

Training's been really tough, especially clocking up the miles through the winter months. Running on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day was novel but given it was a balmy winter, we were fortunately spared horizontal sleet in the face. We're generally following an intermediate marathon training plan. It's 17 weeks and occupies what feels like 93% of my life, but on paper is four sessions a week. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are shorter sessions slowly increasing through the months, with every Sunday being the big effort.

(Photo: Sport Relief)

• Any key milestones?

At first, 26.2 miles means very little. Once we started to run anything around 60 minutes or 10 km, it started to sink in when you finish exhausted and realise, "so I need to do that five more times"!? 10 miles was a huge milestone, alongside our first distance beyond a half marathon... we're now up to 22 miles.

• Any gruelling episodes?

Yes, most of it! Obvious answer is the 15+ mile runs but in reality it's the 45 minute sessions after a long hard day at work. They catch you off guard.

• How are you treating yourself on rest days?

Rest days are mid-week so they're essentially rest evenings. Some good food and a movie are top of the agenda, then washing all of the sports gear.

FUNDRAISING 101

• What methods are you using to fundraise and raise awareness of your efforts?

We've set up a Facebook page following the food, the training milestones, the sad face selfies and most importantly the cause. Check it out: J-Squared Run the Paris Marathon.

Donations can be made through our Virgin Money Giving page. We're also running a prize giveaway for added motivation.

• What is the most difficult part of fundraising?

Glancing at the calendar and watching 3rd April fast approaching.

• What advice would you give to others that are debating whether or not to take on such a challenge for charity?

“Whatever your motivations or fears, you are capable. So get out of your own way and do it. Then go inspire someone else to do the same.”

With five days to go till the marathon, there's no turning back now. Our runners have raised an amazing £1879 so far.

Help them smash their £2000 target by donating to their giving page: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/AzuKo

International Women's Day - Hena joins committee

Today is International Women's Day - a moment to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

We're surrounded by inspirational women at AzuKo, from our founder and female volunteers to women leading the discussions within our projects. We wanted to feature one such individual who has recently been elected to join Jogen Babu Maath (JBM) committee.

Hena is one of five women within the 11 person group, who are acting as representatives for the community. We're working with the committee in our latest project to design and construct a new urban drainage system. We spoke with Hena to find out more about her hopes for JBM slum, and why she nominated herself to make a change in the community.

(Photo: T. Chowdhury)

Hena has lived in JBM for over 10 years with her husband, mother in law and two sons in a small earthen dwelling. During the day she works as a cook for another family and rolls poppadoms on the side, earning around 700 BDT (£6.27) per month. Her passion is for social work, and she dreams of providing sewing training within the community.

In December 2015 we facilitated a democratic election, asking individuals to nominate themselves for specific roles within the committee. Hena ran for Assistant Secretary. In Bangladesh, nominees typically choose a symbol for their campaign to emphasise what they stand for and who they are as individuals.

“My election symbol was a rose. They are beautiful flowers which symbolise success.”

(Image: SAFE)

(Photo: T. Chowdhury)

“I ran for Assistant Secretary so that I could help develop my community. I would like to see improvements to housing, sanitation and the general environment.”

Hena's role is to support the General Secretary during meetings - preparing the agenda, recording minutes and dealing with correspondence from the community. Alongside the physical improvements, Hena is keen to discuss education for the new generation and employment opportunities for all. With women like Hena engaged in JBM's future, there are certainly exciting times ahead.

If Hena’s ambition strikes a chord, why not donate direct to the project? You can help improve living conditions in JBM slum.

#IWD2016 #PledgeForParity

Author: J. Ashbridge

Impact & other insights with trustee Katie Crepeau

We are extremely proud to have Katie Crepeau on our board of trustees. Katie is an architect and writer focused on design and social enterprise. She pairs her professional experience in the architecture field with communications to help designers improve project delivery, organisational strategy and contribute to the broader development of the design field.

Two years in, we wanted to hear her take on things:

• Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your passions...

I began my career as an architect 10 years ago, working on homes and adaptive reuse projects in small practices. However, in the past three years I've shifted my work to fully focus on social impact design through writing, research and content strategy. This was a gradual transition that began with volunteer projects in marginalised communities, which led me to want to figure out how to make social impact design a viable career path.

(Image: K. Crepeau)

“Even though I was able to support myself through writing - and learned a ton through interviews, workshops and reading - there are still many unanswered questions I have about careers in social impact design.”

These questions (or knowledge gaps) are what I'm looking to dive into next. Funding, organisational development, communication and collaboration with analogous industries (like impact investing, social enterprise, community organising and activism) are the current topics on my radar. Whether it's writing, workshops, orchestrating projects or consulting, that's where I'll be focusing my efforts for the next few years.

• Why did you join AzuKo's board?

There were a few things about AzuKo that attracted me to join. First, Jo's infectious positive attitude and honest commitment to public interest design made me want to work with her. She's truly a rare gem in the architecture and sustainable development fields, and I couldn't let an opportunity to learn from her pass me by.

Second, after I had worked with a friend to develop a social impact design firm, I was interested in being involved from a slightly different angle - one where I could share my experience and skill set but not necessarily be directly involved in the day-to-day activities as I was pursuing other work.

“Through mentors that I’ve had in the past, I’ve found that it’s important to share relevant knowledge, and so I feel it’s my turn to pass along what I’ve learned.”

Last, I had recently moved to the UK when AzuKo invited me to the board and I thought it was a perfect opportunity for an international knowledge share - I could learn more about social impact design in the UK and share my knowledge of the field in the US. The past two years with AzuKo have opened my eyes up to the differences and similarities in each country, and beyond with AzuKo working in Bangladesh, too.

• What specific skills and experience do you bring to the team?

With the variety of roles I've held in the past, I try to tap into my mixed toolbox of skills dependent on AzuKo's current needs. My training and licensing in architecture brings experience with programming, budgeting, contracts, and project management and delivery. I also share learning and methods in the areas I'm currently exploring in social impact design: organisational development, impact assessment, research and scoping projects, and funding.

(Blog: K. Crepeau)

My experience running two blogs (Design Affects and Impact Design Hub) has taught me about communications, marketing and digital strategy, which I pass along to AzuKo as much as possible. Along with these hard skills, I try to connect AzuKo with peers and colleagues I've met along my own journey in social impact design.

• Can you tell us about a highlight in AzuKo's journey so far, that you have been involved in?

Shortly after joining AzuKo's board, I hosted a series of impact assessment workshops to plan and implement methods for AzuKo's projects and organisational development. It was a new practice for all of us but I was excited that the team was willing to dive into and pick apart the organisation's business plan in order to uncover future possibilities. We just scratched the surface and have much more to do but it was good to start early!

(Photo: C. Tunnacliffe)

• How has working with AzuKo impacted you?

AzuKo has helped me identify gaps where social impact designers need more information. It's given me a platform to explore approaches to addressing these gaps - namely in impact assessment, fundraising and communications. It's also been a place where I can feel involved in a project-based design organisation, as writing was more of a 30,000 ft interaction with the field.

• Where do you hope AzuKo will be in 10 years?

“My vision for AzuKo in 10 years’ time is as an established and well-known design organisation that is sharing methods, theories and approaches with a wide audience.”

Given Jo's experience, I can also see how AzuKo could easily lead new areas of research and practice in sustainable development. I'm really excited to see how it develops and I will continue to contribute to the organisation's growth as much as possible.

• What advice would you give others who are interested in becoming a trustee or supporting a charity?

Do it! I would advise to find an organisation that aligns with your interests, develop a relationship with them, discover what skills they need and make sure it's mutually beneficial for both you and the charity. This will make it a longer lasting relationship. Plus, you never know where it'll take you.