It was yet another season for the Muskathlons from the Nertherlands to engage in enduring cross-country marathon, charitable walks and cycling to raise money for children from disadvantaged families in Tanzania.
This time the Muskathlons raced into the central Singida region where they managed to come up with philanthropic initiatives to support more than 400 disadvantaged children and youth.
Their mission in Tanzania also included the philanthropic act of improving the standards of 61 poor households and raising money for water projects through a series of endurance adventurous activities.
Through the fifth instalment of the annual Muskathlon marathon, and which attracted over 200 participants, the musketeers also extended support to more than 400 beneficiaries of the special Children and Youth Development Program under Compassion International Tanzania (CIT).
The 400 children and youth have secured full sponsorship from the international participants of the 2026 Muskathlon Marathon and Charitable walk that took place in Singida for two consecutive days.
The team from the Netherlands joined local participants in undertaking a series of events comprised philanthropic bicycle racing competitions where cyclists covered 5, 21, 43 and 63 kilometers to raise funds for Tanzanian children from poor households.
Fourth Musketeers
The charitable walk, marathon and cycling events were this time organized in Singida by Compassion International Tanzania (CIT) in conjunction with the team of Muskathlons from the Netherlands led by Matthijs van der Veen.
Speaking during the series of events in Singida, the Director of Compassion Tanzania, Mary Lema explained the Muskathlons continue to be an important component in the CIT mission to rescue children from poverty and offer them better lives.
“We have seen how more than 400 youth and children have gained a lot from the Muskathlon activities in Singida this year just as they normally benefit in similar events every year, that also bring together people from various parts of the world,” she said.
A representative from the Regional Commissioner’s office, Naima Chondo said the people of Singida have witnessed for themselves how sports and other outdoor activities, other than being fun events, can also be used to transform lives.
The team also worked on water projects and renovated classrooms in local schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Muskathlons from the Netherlands, the team leader, Matthijs van der Veen said they have been training preparing for the Tanzania event throughout the previous 12 months, to ensure that the Muskathlete events become successful.
After nearly three decades of serving families steeped in poverty, the Compassion International Tanzania has expanded its outreach programs and within the fiscal year 2025-2026 alone managed to reach over 123,000 youths and children across the country.
In addition, over 119.7 billion/- have been disbursed through compassion programs serving the youth and children in Tanzania, spilling over to their parents and immediate families.
Muskathlons are extreme sports and endurance activities that take place across the world, including East Africa, t