Every step across the finish line is one step closer to a medical mission center in Meto, Kenya.

“We want to be able to take doctors and dentists and be able to have medical care in this little community,” said Alan Hicks Jr., executive director of Integrity Worldwide. “The first step is having a place for them to stay, so we want to build a mission center.”

To raise money to build the center, Integrity Worldwide, a Christian missionary program, will host a 5k and one-mile race on Oct. 30.

All proceeds from the race will be used for the program’s newest project, a medical center. Integrity Worldwide has also brought a water well and library to the Kenyan community.

“Our goal would be to have a dentist office there and a small medical clinic so we could have a doctor there to treat people,” Hicks said. “So, you’re not only doing [the race] because it’s fun, but you’re doing it for an amazing cause.”

Hicks said the nearest hospital to Meto is a six or seven hour trip by car, which amounts to almost a week when traveling by foot as many people must.

For those not available or unable to walk or run in the races, Averee Hicks, co-founder of Integrity Worldwide, invites people to sponsor a runner or walker.

“That money for the registration to sponsor that student or youth here, the proceeds of that are going to sponsor children, buildings, people and a community in Africa,” she said.

Registration is $25 per person and $15 for children ages 12 and younger.

The 5k will loop from Bloch Park to Dallas Avenue, Lauderdale Street, Alabama Avenue, Selma Avenue, through Old Live Oak Cemetery back to Dallas Avenue and Bloch Park.

To register for the race, sign up by calling 526-1238 or visiting www.integrityworldwide.com. Online registration closes on Oct. 28.

Races start at 9 a.m. Packet pick-up and registration will begin at 8 a.m.

Stick around after the race for door prizes from local businesses.

Integrity Worldwide was founded in 2006 and has a partnership with villages in Kenya and Uganda. The program has already brought a 75,000-liter well (which converts to about 19,813 gallons) and a state-of-the-art library to Meto.

The library brought the community modern conveniences such as running water and toilets in the bathrooms to a computer lab and conference room. Pipes run from the well to the library for the running water. The library also runs via solar power.