I am teaming up with my former Cuso-VSO colleague LIESBETH KANIS to run the Bagan Temple Marathon in Myanamr on November 25th, 2017. We will be raising funds to help fund programmes that support Myanmar's most vulnerable residents.
As you know, I moved to Myanmar (formerly Burma) in June 2017 as a Cuso International volunteer, working as a Community Tourism Advisor. This is my second stint as a Cuso volunteer, having spent two (2) years in Zanzibar and Tanzania between 2011-13, where I met Leisbeth who was also volunteering with VSO. There we witnessed first-hand how persons like ourselves can really make a positive and lasting difference in communities are that affected by extreme poverty, social exclusion and inequality.
Myanmar’s poor number more than 13 million, or about a quarter of the population, and the country ranks in the bottom quarter of 185 countries that are listed in the human development index. And while the country has transitioned to a semi-democracy following decades of military rule, internal violence, human rights abuses and gender inequality remain very high.
Hence the reason why organisations like Cuso and VSO are very active in Myanmar. Whether we work with abused and trafficked women, kids with disabilities, blind persons, or in community-based tourism as I do, my colleagues and I are passionate about one thing – improving the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in Myanmar.
So we've signed up for the Bagan Temple Marathon ( http://bagan-temple-marathon.com/ ) on November 25th, 2017 and will be attempting to raise $100,000 for programmes that will help Myanmar’s poorest and most vulnerable. We only need to squeeze $10,000 out of your pockets, as through a funding arrangement between Cuso and the Canadian Government, for EVERY $1 YOU DONATE THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE $9. So for example your $25 contribution becomes $250 and a $100 gift becomes $1000 and if you donate enough, our $10,000 target will get us to the $100,000 goal.
Even better news – your donation is tax deductible!
We look forward to your generous support. In 2012, Liesbeth and I ran the Kilimanjaro Marathon in Tanzania, the International Peace Marathon in Rwanda, the MTN Marathon in Uganda, the Safari Marathon in Arusha and several others in East Africa. From these races we raised close to US$60,000 for various poverty alleviation programmes in Tanzania and we saw first hand the the positive results and impact of these funds. Both of us are personally covering our registration fees and travel expenses for this marathon, so every donation, small as it may be, will go directly to our programmes and will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people here.
Also, please share this link with your friends and family and if you have any questions you can email me at ishwar_persad@yahoo.co.uk or Liesbeth at chawwah@hotmail.com to read more about our previous experience volunteering and fundraising in Tanzania go to my blog at http://trininomad.blogspot.com/2012/03/if-you-cant-climb-it-run-it-kilimajaro.html
Thanks in advance for your support!!
Ishwar & Liesbeth
Since 1961, Cuso International has been working to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of volunteers, partners, and donors. Each year Cuso International mobilizes hundreds of professionals who volunteer side-by-side with local partners to create positive and lasting change.
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