Running Toward a Better World: How the Happiness Project and Run Are Changing Lives

As I’ve mentioned several times in this blog, my mom, Anne McDonah, created The Happiness Project in Tanzania when she was a faculty member at NSCC Pictou to empower women through education and entrepreneurship. It’s a powerful initiative that in partnership with NSCC Enactus teams, NSCC International, and NSCC Entrepreneurship, has brought students and communities in Nova Scotia and Tanzania together to learn from each other and grow.

Building on that foundation, I created the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality to expand the reach of that shared impact. The run is about more than fundraising—it’s about inviting more people to join a journey of global learning, empathy, and action. By running together, we’re continuing the spirit of connection between our communities while taking literal steps toward lasting and impactful change.

The goal of the run is to raise funds to purchase a NanoFilter Water Center in Tanzania. This center will do more than provide access to clean water—it will also employ at least one woman with a living wage, offering economic opportunity and helping meet several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Partnerships for the Goals.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Katie Orr, Director of NSCC International, and Kellie McMullin, Manager of NSCC International Outbound International Learning, who are two amazing champions of The Happiness Project—about how it all aligns with the college’s broader international mission.

Katie explained that when my mom first shared her idea, it was a natural fit. The project’s focus on empowering others through entrepreneurship closely mirrors the goals of Enactus and NSCC International. “It’s part of our mission to bring Nova Scotia to the world,” she said, “and to help students and employees gain international skills and experience.”

Kellie shared that from the start, the project has had a deep impact on everyone involved—both in Canada and Tanzania. It’s helped students understand what social entrepreneurship looks like in different parts of the world and has led to lasting, life-changing experiences. “They want to give back,” she said. “And it changes them forever.”

One of the most meaningful parts of the project has been the connection with the NanoFilter company. When students visited the community and met Ruth, the inspiring founder of the company who I recently interviewed via Zoom, they saw firsthand how a woman-led business could change lives. That relationship is a big reason why I chose to focus the run’s fundraising on building a Water Center in partnership with NanoFilter.

As Kellie emphasized, The Happiness Project doesn’t just teach students about business—it shows them how entrepreneurship can be a force for good. It brings the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to life in a real, tangible way.

I’m incredibly proud to be part of this evolving story. The Happiness Project and the Happiness Run are about creating opportunity, building community, and running toward a more equal, sustainable world.

Although my portion of the project—the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality—will soon be wrapping up, the online donation link through NSCC will remain active as NSCC Enactus teams and NSCC International continue to grow and support the broader Happiness Project. Now that I’ve completed my final exams, I’ll be finishing my remaining blog posts in the coming days. While my daily runs may be ending, the spirit and intention of this initiative continue. I’ll be sharing ongoing updates here at this blogsite so that all those who supported the run can see the impact of their donations—especially as we begin to set up the NanoFilter Water Center and introduce the incredible woman whose life and community your generosity is helping to transform.

An edited version of my interview with Katie and Kellie can be viewed below. Please excuse my giggling. Although I’ve known them for many years through my mom, I was so nervous when I had the opportunity to interview them, even though they are so nice!