Kenei Kuotsu with his colleagues and the CEO during the 'Run for Hope' in Singapore.
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | December 19
On a beautiful Sunday morning on November 17, Kenei Kuotsu joined 5000 other runners for a 10-kilometer run in Singapore for three 'brave kids' fighting cancer in Nagaland. He was able to raise over SGD 1000 through the 10k run for the cause of children with cancer- something he is deeply passionate about.
With Christmas just round the corner, this could be the perfect gift for the three children currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), all of whom are leukemia patients.
"During my last trip to Kohima in October, I visited the hospital and met two of them. Unfortunately, the third child was admitted after I left Kohima, so I couldn't meet him in person," he relates. During that hospital visit, he was accompanied by friends from Singapore and the UK, and together, they prayed for the children.
"I'm grateful for the work SpeakGuru Foundation has done over the years, made possible only by God's grace and provision.
Despite my personal limitations, I've been determined to participate in activities that raise awareness and funds, such as this 10k run," he expresses.
This isn't the first time that he has gone an extra mile for the cause. Recognising that the unfortunate reality of cancer involves costly treatments, SpeakGuru Foundation has been instrumental in the treatment of children living with cancer over the years, by paying for their medicines and chemo cycles.
It was the sight of children with bald heads during a chance encounter while meeting Dr. Khriemenuo at NHAK years ago that moved his heart to do something.
Even while pronouncing his belief that it is impossible to force anyone to do good but that it must come from the heart, he recalls this moment with clarity. "I saw bald children in her ward, and their frail eyes looked up at me. Something profound happened that day. God impressed upon my heart the desire to help these children battling cancer", he recalls.
Acknowledging that initially he did not know how to, he further says, "But I've learned that when we're passionate about something, we'll fight for it and find ways to make it happen." "God has guided me to participate in various events, and one opportunity led to another," he puts across.
As long as his body is healthy, he affirms that he is eager to continue supporting the cause of these children through walking and running events.
Stating that "often, these children we care for come from low-income families and struggle to even afford the next chemo cycle," he also urges everyone to visit the Pediatric Oncology ward at NHAK to support these children with their presence, prayers, and if possible, financial support.
Mention may be made here that the 10k run he recently participated in, is organised under the banner "Run for Hope," aimed at raising funds for cancer research and treatment, promoting cancer awareness and education, and supporting cancer patients, survivors, and their families. "I participated in the 10km run along with some of my colleagues and our company CEO, to raise funds for the children living with cancer."
The remaining fund of the SGD 1,000 that has been raised from the 10k run to support the cancer children at NHAK will be used to purchase a camera for the Blythe Tragopan Conservation and Breeding Centre in Kohima, where SpeakGuru is caring for two rescued Tragopans - a male and female pair named Mon and Aram.
"This camera will help us document the lives of these beautiful birds at the centre, allowing us to share their story and raise awareness about conservation efforts", he states.
The two birds are named after MonAram, which is SpeakGuru's social impact initiative, through which they aim to make a positive difference in Nagaland by delivering vital healthcare packages to those in need.
