African Freedom Fighter’s 120-mile Barefoot Challenge
1 July 2008
Emmanuel in training earlier this year.
My challenge was nearly halted at the weekend when I suffered a swollen foot. The pain was awful, but I thought: ‘if I have to crawl I will do’ to make it.
”Emmanuel Neba Fuh
As Zimbabwe begins the latest term of rule under Robert Mugabe this week, University of Derby graduate, Emmanuel Neba Fuh, who has walked barefoot from Derby to London to raise awareness of human rights violations in Africa arrives at Downing Street tomorrow.
The 34-year-old, from Croydon Walk in Derby, began his crusade on June 16 and will complete his challenge at 2pm tomorrow when he hands his petition into advisors for Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
It’s taken 19 days and 120 miles to make the trip from his home city to the capital wearing no shoes or socks, but the Derby graduate, who is also a member of Amnesty International, says it has been worth the effort.
He said: "My challenge was nearly halted at the weekend when I suffered a swollen foot. The pain was awful, but I thought: ‘if I have to crawl I will do’ to make it.
"My decision to walk barefoot, rather than in shoes, aims to challenge people from this country to look differently at the whole human rights issue and compel them to act and not just to observe.
"I also learnt my brother-in-law in America had died two days into my challenge, but my family and my own determination to complete this has willed me to carry on."
His efforts are particularly poignant, walking alongside Zimbabwean friend Khumbula Dube, 39, from Chalkley Close, Derby. Khumbula fled Zimbabwe in 2003 and Emmanuel says the recent controversial elections in his homeland have given him the focus he needs to help him through the barefoot walk.
Emmanuel has also vowed to walk across Africa barefoot in 2009, collecting a million signatures from African citizens for a treaty which aims to prevent African leaders staying in power for more than ten years.
Emmanuel and supporters from the Derby For Africa Initiative set off on the expedition from the Derby City Council offices in Corporation Street at 11am on Monday, June 16.
One of Derby City Council councillors, Pauline Latham CBE, walked the first mile with the group to show her support. Well-wishers, including Dr Dina Abbott, Co-Head of the Human and Physical Environments Research Group at the University of Derby, will greet Emmanuel at Downing Street.
Emmanuel was forced to flee from his home country, Cameroon, after peaceful political protests which he says put his life in danger. He has since transformed his life in the UK, becoming a graduate, community worker and father-of-three living in Derby. He was also the winner of the Community Service for Volunteers’ 2005 Year of the Volunteers’ National Award (Partnership Category).
He is now supporting the Movement Against Genocide in Africa campaign being supported by agencies and key figureheads in Derby, including leaders of faith groups and head teachers.
As well as studying for a BA (Hons) in Applied Community Work and Social Care degree and raising a young family (children Nuriah, four, Morena, two, and Noah, eight months), Emmanuel served as Chairman of the Derby Refugee Forum, was a member of the Derby Community Safety Partnership, Derby Minority Ethnic Advisory Council and the Derby Holocaust memorial team.
As Amnesty International UK section speaker for schools, colleges and universities in the East Midlands, Emmanuel makes a huge positive impact on young people's perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers. He recently joined the Derbyshire Constabulary Independent Advisory Group.
Emmanuel said: "I have seen first hand some of the atrocities in Africa which forced me to leave the country.
"I have gained so much confidence from my degree at Derby as well as my work with varied communities and agencies, and I feel ready and able to inspire voiceless Africans to have a new sense of dignity and destiny.
"Many doors opened to me when I won the CSV National Award. I have made valuable contacts with people who can help make a difference and gather momentum behind our campaign.
"Too many African leaders have been in power for too long.
"They stifle democracy and change. Something has to be done in support of millions of destitute Africans who have become refugees in their own country. They are hungry for justice and thirsty for better opportunities."
The Derby For Africa Initiative hopes to bring together supporters and representatives from public, private and voluntary sectors. The aim is to have a single voice behind the initiative, which according to many people has great potential. It will be an opportunity for many people in the city, who have learnt of the genocides in Africa from newspapers, to get involved and make a difference.
Read more about the initiative and find out Emmanuel's journey at www.derbyforafrica.org.
He has a Press Officer on hand to deal with media calls this week. For media enquiries you can contact: Peter Nyoni, Press Officer on Mobile: 07882 851000 or 07957 671618 or email: press@derbyforafrica.org.
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For more information about this news release, contact Deputy Head of Press and PR Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038.
