Last year, our friend Annie visited us in Nepal. She arrived just before the onset of winter, when even getting out of bed in the morning was an ordeal: it was so damn cold. Annie had signed up for a three-week trek to Everest Base Camp. We all gasped a little when she told us. The weather wasn’t exactly ideal. And when she developed a nasty flu the day before the expedition, we wondered if she should even go at all.

Photo by Annie Kwan

But Annie persevered and three weeks later, returned home with wonderful pictures and stories of her adventures. The trek inspired her. She continued walking, and discovering new places when she went back to England. Her enthusiasm must have been infectious. People soon started joining her on her weekly trips into the countryside. Visit her blog and the photos say it all. Who knew walking could be so magical?

Photo by Annie Kwan

More recently, Annie decided that she would walk 200 miles to raise funds for Project Enlighten. Regular readers of this blog will know that this little NGO has been working hard to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. These people have lost everything and deserve all the support they can get.

Miles for Mankind hopes to raise US$1,000, which will be used to buy food, medicine and other basic necessities for the victims. It’s a modest project with modest aims. But as a very wise person once said, sometimes, a little could mean a lot.

For updates and some gorgeous photos, please visit the project’s website. And while you’re there, don’t forget to make a donation. Your contribution could save lives.