I have a desk job and am by no means a runner. I have decided to run the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon (all 13 miles of it) because I want to support the good work that AID-Pittsburgh is doing in the most impoverished communities of India. Although all of AID’s projects provide much-needed assistance in critical areas, I would like to specifically request readers to donate to the Parivartan Sikshan Sanstha, a project that focuses on educating children age 4-12 in the slums of Mumbai.
Unlike children in America who seem to be most concerned with whether they have the latest cellphone or designer outfit, these kids just long for a hot meal and warm clothes. These children are from families below the poverty line. Their families are uneducated and have not been able to provide them with the opportunity to go to school – undoubtedly the best way to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation. I believe every dollar spent educating these youngsters will help them eventually get jobs that pay a living wage and care for their families. In turn, they will be able to educate their own children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness so prevalent in these communities.
Donate at: http://www.runforindia.org/runners/kamanam
Read my marathon training blog at http://www.runforindia.org/runners/kamanam/blog
