#MiniJurassicgirl is walking 12km on @RamblersGB trail today to raise money for @WaterAidUK. We are on our way to start, she is pumped & excited to help children have clean water and toilets π
Exhausted! We have nearly reached the top of Hod Hill looked after by @NTSouthWest. She is earning the Β£ for every km walked, trust me! #saritawalks4wateraid A bag of sweets helped ππ
Approaching 5k now. Beautiful views over lunch at the top of Hod Hill. Now a stunning walk along a stream & a chance to trail a stick in the water! #saritawalks4wateraid#ramblersambassador#ramblers
Things are really tough now. Sarita had a bit of a sit down & πͺ, really achy legs. We had a pep talk abt all the children who will have clean water @WaterAidUK - back on feet for the final 2k! She can do this π Thx for all your support, it helps! #saritawalks4wateraid
This is such a beautiful walk mapped by the @RamblersGB. Its challenging but great for the soul. Every child should gave access to nature & clean water to be healthy and fit βΊ That's why #saritawalks4wateraid πΆββοΈπ
And she did it! 12.5km across two huge hillforts, walking across the beautiful Dorset landscape raising money for @WaterAidUK π Thx for all the support, donations & msgs. What a brilliant #EasterSunday, now to relax! π #saritawalks4wateraid Route courtesy of @RamblersGB
You may be wondering why we did not publicise this walk for charity. I was really concerned abt the pressure & expectation she would feel, so we just launched it on the day of the walk. Me & JurassicDad are so proud of Sarita π₯° #saritawalks4wateraid#walkchallenge#ramblers
An article this wk spoke of lack of diversity in rural spaces. I propose a move away from this deficit model, to focus on the expertise, joy & value that diversity brings into rural spaces. Thru celebrating our unique heritage stories we can blend ideas & practice together. π§΅
Living & working in rural Dorset for 20+ years (which is 96% White) - empathy, listening & collaboration across communities can transcend hostility & misunderstanding. We can work together to create harmonious experiences that benefit ppl & nature.
My EDI work is very much focused on building skills, confidence & empowering change in a sector that lacks diversity. Helping those in power embrace the change that needs to happen, to recognise that diverse communities are experts in their own right.
Do you want the reality for POC in our sector?
Lets get down to some details. All based on my own observations:
"Look at how bad you made us all feel!" bunch of white people in response to my thread discussing my lived experiences of rural racism. 𧡠#AzeemRafiq
"People like you don't move to places like this" when I mused over why the sector is still so white & why after 15 years I was still the only Brown face in the room. No recognition or understanding of a sectoral wide problem.
"You don't need to explain the words (hostility, isolation, otherness) to me, I understand what they mean", white person in response to my attempt to explain my lived experiences of rural racism.
My family, @Johnson72Martin & kids are my bedrock, holding me up and keeping me strong. They understand the late nights & weekends I have to work in my pursuit for equity in the sector. They are also great at knowing how the oven works so they can feed themselves! 1/10
My amazing sister @DrMeenaKhatwa and brother @vinnyk2406 who have stood by me in difficult times. In their own way they change the world and I am blessed to have them in my life. My Mum & Dad who still don't get me & the rocks thing, but love me all the same π€£β€οΈ 2/10
As a recipient of RH Worth Medal from @geolsoc, I have written a statement of thanks to all of whom I am indebted to. I may have missed people, so apologies but you are all in my heart & memory. TL/DR Cheers everyone, this was for my daughter Sarita π geolsoc.org.uk/About/Press-Ofβ¦
I owe a debt of gratitude to my Ph.D. advisors Prof Jane Hart & Prof Tony Payne & @UoSGeogEnv where I learnt how to be a creative, resilient scientist. A skill that guides me today. In the interview, they asked my fave paper. It is by Stanley Schumm on Thresholds of Change π€