Dyslexia awareness fun run set for October in Arusha

ARUSHA: AROUND 1,000 participants are expected to join the inaugural Dyslexia Awareness Fun Run at Mgambo grounds in the Arusha region early next month.

The event, scheduled for October 6th, aims to raise awareness about dyslexia and promote support for individuals living with the condition.

In an interview with the ‘Daily News’, Dyslexia Tanzania founder and Chief Executive Officer, Caudence Ayoti, emphasised the importance of community involvement in the event.

“This Fun Run is our way of highlighting dyslexia, which is globally recognised in October.

It’s a hidden disability that requires substantial support, and we encourage everyone to participate,” said Ayoti, a parent of a dyslexic child.

The event features two race categories: 5 km and 10 km races, allowing participants to choose a distance that suits their abilities.

Registration costs 35,000/-, and participants will receive T-shirts, with medals awarded at the finish line.

“I urge the residents of Arusha and others from across the country to join us in this important initiative,” she added.

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Sponsors for the event include NSK Hospitals Arusha, Kiliative Global, Njiro International Dental Clinic, DeMi Tours Tanzania, New Dawn Events, Sure Starts, WiDEN, The Tanganyika Schools, Shanga Foundation, Nourished Mind, Larries Business Services, Gifted Hands, Pocket Budget, Earthlife Expeditions and GilMag Safaris.

Ayoti also highlighted notable figures with dyslexia, such as Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, Richard Branson, Pablo Picasso, Steven Spielberg, Cher, Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg and Muhammad Ali, illustrating that dyslexia does not hinder success.

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty in reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).

Also known as a reading disability, dyslexia result from individual differences in areas of the brain that process language.

Dyslexia is not due to problems with intelligence, hearing, or vision.

Most children with dyslexia can succeed in school with tutoring or a specialised education programme.

Emotional support also plays an important role.