Cayman Islands resident Alicia Proud-Rabess, who planned to stroke about 13 miles across Lake Malawi in Africa this month to raise $30,000 to build a contraceptive health clinic, will now be attempting the charity swim along Seven Mile Beach instead.
“We knew this wouldn’t be a cheap trip, the flights alone to Malawi are US$2,500,” Proud-Rabess told the Cayman Compass via email. “I felt it was more appropriate at this time to give more money to the cause rather than to spend it on the experience itself.”
Proud-Rabess was supposed to join swimmers Claire Roscoe and Amanda Goodwin in Africa, in efforts to spread awareness of the need to reduce unwanted pregnancies among teenage girls in the southeastern African nation of Malawi, and ensure that these young women can have access to free, safe contraceptive implants at a health clinic.
The three women are aiming to raise US$30,000, with $15,000 going towards the cost of building the clinic in the poor suburb of Lilongwe, Malawi, with the remaining funds for purchasing the contraceptive implants and other supplies. The clinic will be dedicated to the memory of Roscoe’s sister Wilma, a charity worker, who passed away last year.
Proud-Rabess decided after receiving “a very generous donation from [her] good friends Joyce Cantlay and Mark Sahagian”, which would have covered both her airfare and accommodation in Malawi, that she would give the donation to the charity instead and swim 11 kilometres at home, while Roscoe and Goodwin continue as planned.
“Therefore, giving 100% of this generous contribution to the charitable cause, [will bring] the total funds required nearly all the way up to the target of $30,000,” she said. “Wishing the rest of the swimmers all the best for a safe lake crossing next Monday, 4 April, a joyous ceremony celebrating Wilma Roscoe’s life.”
Proud-Rabess will start out from Cemetery Beach in West Bay at 7am on Sunday morning, 3 April. She will swim to Canal Point and then back to Caribbean Club and on to the Westin, where she is expected to finish at approximately 11:30am.
“I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to join me along the 11 km journey – either walking, kayaking, swimming [or] paddling. Jump in anywhere along the route…and show some love for this worthwhile and wonderful cause.”
To donate, go the event’s GoFundMe page.
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