[
](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi)In 2007, Ryan Reynolds and I [visited Malawi][johnaugust], a land-locked country in southern Africa, where we helped out with a group that runs day centers for thousands of orphans.
Since then, I’ve kept up with the organization, helping to build a secondary school and medical clinic.
Marathoner Brendan Rendall is currently running the length of the country to raise money to build a new wing for the secondary school, which is bursting at the seams. The block will include two science labs, an art room and a general classroom.
Brendan is running 650 miles. **That’s 25 marathons back-to-back.**
You can follow his progress on this [map][map] ((If you zoom in on the map, you can find Mulanje south-east of Blantyre.)) and see photos from the run on Facebook with the hashtag [#runmalawi](https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%23runmalawi).
The school and related programs are run by Friends of Mulanje Orphans, which is one of the best charities I’ve ever enountered. Over the years, it has supported a generation of kids who are now helping run the program.
I’d urge you check out their [great work](http://malawiorphans.net/wordpress/?page_id=414) and [donate][justgiving] to Brendan’s campaign.
[justgiving]: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helpfomo35
[map]: http://z6z.co/runmalawi
[johnaugust]: http://johnaugust.com/2007/home-from-africa