“Seek help through patience and prayer.” (Quran 2:153)
The course is over, but the day is not. The trek is a long, steady walk that asks for patience rather than strength. It gives the pairs time to talk, to pray and to keep going.
It is the part of the day that most closely echoes a refugee’s journey on foot.
| When | Where | The heart of it |
|---|---|---|
| 12:15pm to 2:15pm | Countryside around the venue | Walking, talking and keeping going |
The route
The walk is about five miles, on paths with no steep or slippery sections. A leader should walk it beforehand, time it and note any hazards.
Choose a circular route that brings the group back to the venue. Avoid busy roads, deep water and stiles that are hard to cross in a muddy abaya. Carry a map and a route card, and share both with the venue.
Before setting off, check:
- weather and ground conditions for the day;
- water for everyone, plus spare;
- dates and light snacks;
- first-aid kit, foil blankets and a charged phone;
- the route card, left with someone at the venue.
If the weather is poor or the group is tired, shorten the route. A shorter walk done well is better than a long one done badly.
Walking together
Walk at the pace of the slowest person. Keep the group close, with no one left behind.
The lead walker sets the pace at the front. A back marker stays at the rear and watches for anyone who is struggling. Both carry a phone and know the route.
Count the group at every stop and at every gate or stile.
The standards on the trek
The trek is about patience, not penalties. There are no penalty exercises on the walk, and the whole group moves at the pace of the slowest.
The instructors’ firmer manner with full-challenge mums stays at the course. On the trek, everyone walks together as equals.
The safe words, the T signal and “Stop” still apply. Mums who have stepped down wear the white scarf for the rest of the day.
Prayer on the way
Work out the time for Dhuhr before the day. Plan a stop for it about halfway, at a flat, safe and dry place.
Water is limited, so decide in advance how everyone will make wudu. A leader can carry a small bottle for those who need it, or you can explain tayammum, dry ablution, for those who prefer it.
Anyone who needs a rest can sit out the prayer and join afterwards. A leader leads, and everyone prays at their own pace.
The ground may be muddy. Bring a few clean mats or large bin bags to place on the ground.
Talking as you walk
The trek is a chance for gentle, honest conversation. Leaders can offer a few prompts, but the best talk comes from silence and space.
Suggest questions such as:
- What do you most admire about your mum, or your daughter?
- What would you carry if you had to leave in a hurry?
- Who would you want beside you?
- What would you miss most?
Some pairs will talk. Others will simply walk side by side. Both are fine.
What the walk teaches
The walk is not meant to teach one lesson. It can bring out several:
- how much we depend on each other;
- how small kindnesses carry a long way;
- how tiredness changes our patience;
- how much we take for granted at home;
- how hard it is to keep going without knowing the end.
You may find the girls say these things themselves. Let them. They are quicker than we think.
Looking after yourselves
Wet clothes and a long walk can make people cold. Cold sneaks up, especially on a quiet day.
Watch for shivering, slurred speech, pale lips and silence. Give a foil blanket, a warm drink and a rest. If someone is still cold, stop the walk and bring the group back by the quickest safe route.
Dry clothes are left on the minibus, so plan the route to stay close enough to reach them if needed.
Encourage everyone to sip water every fifteen minutes, even if they do not feel thirsty.
When the venue comes into sight, there is a quiet sense of relief. Let it settle. Then turn to the next part.