Tuesday, October 28, 1997
Partnership Walk raises funds for Third World women
INTERNATIONAL Aga Khan Foundation USA held event at Rose
Bowl
By Michelle Navarro
Daily Bruin Contributor
A lot of organizations talk the talk, but this one — the Aga
Khan Foundation — "walks the walk."
Last Sunday, people of all ages and colors flooded the lawn
outside the Rose Bowl for the third annual Partnership Walk, a
fundraising event held by the Aga Khan Foundation USA.
"The Walk started in L.A. in 1995, but it’s been going on in
Canada and Australia for the last 10 years. It’s a big event," said
Nazmina Juma, youth coordinator and fifth-year political science
student.
This year’s walk is aimed towards raising money to support
programs for women and development in third world countries. The
focus stems from the awareness that every girl and woman in a
developing country must have access to education.
"If a woman grows up and she’s educated, the entire family
benefits," Virani said.
"Women have been a part of the development process for many
years, and they have not been recognized. What (the participants)
are doing is making the recognition possible," said Dr. Rashida
Khakoo, the first woman chairman of Aga Khan Foundation USA.
The hundreds of tennis shoes that trampled the pavement
surrounding the golf course proved that many felt that the cause
merited their support. Even those unable to make the walk traveled
in a van that faithfully followed alongside the walkers, so as not
to miss any part of the excitement.
Lively chatter and panting dogs accompanied the walking shoes
that were out there, to make their contribution to the cause.
"I do it every year to help the third-world countries," said
Shazim Gheewalla, a junior at Reseda High School.
"My mom told me about it. I came to be a part of it and help out
the Partnership Walk," said Erick Jarquin, a La Puente High School
senior.
At the two kilometer mark, a replica of a village in Gujrat,
India was set up, so walkers could experience "the sights, taste
and sounds of what a day in an Indian village is like."
A huge sign welcomed walkers, as well as a group of dancers in
colorful dress. Replicas of a village clinic, farm, school, home,
and bride house were created where live exhibits were given.
Animals, from turtles to ducks, roamed around the "farm" for
children to pet. Children wrote on slates at the "school," and the
bride danced at the "bride house."
At the end of the walk, an arch of green and white balloons
signalled the finish line, while a group of volunteers cheered,
"Who walked the walk? You walked the walk!"
As lunch was served, an all-women salsa-merengue band, Wild
Mango, performed for the entertainment of the contented
participants.
"I figured for $20, I could educate someone in Bangladesh. I
usually take a walk in the mornings, so I thought I’d come down
here and see what they have to say and participate. Twenty dollars
isn’t a lot here, but it’s a lot somewhere else," said John Gannon,
one of the walkers.
That’s exactly what the Aga Khan Foundation realized.
The Foundation started in Switzerland in 1967, as a
non-denominational and philanthropic organization dedicated to
helping developing countries find solutions to problems of poor
health, inadequate education and low incomes. From there, over six
more have sprouted around the world.
The Foundation has implemented several programs over the years
in disadvantaged areas of Asia and Africa. Other countries haven’t
been able to receive aid from the Foundation because their
respective governments have prevented them from doing so.
"It mainly has to do with the government accepting funds," Juma
said.
Two aspects of the organization make it unique. For one, 100
percent of the funds raised go directly to the countries in
need.
"Every dollar we raise goes straight into the project, all
(administrative) expenses come from the chairman," said Nadir
Virani, regional coordinator for the walk.
Not only do the funds for administrative purposes come from the
Foundation itself, but it is also completely staffed by
volunteers.
"I got involved because this event comes once a year and it is a
very special project. It’s a very important thing that will help a
lot of people. That’s why we contribute as much as we can; some
have even been working for many months," said Noor Khanmohamed, a
volunteer who handed out the continental breakfasts to walkers.
The second trademark of the Aga Khan Foundation is that the
money they collect doesn’t reach the countries in the form of a
handout, but rather in the form of education.
"It’s not a charity," said Beverly White, a KNBC reporter and
emcee for Partnership Walk.
"It’s a development corporation. Instead of just giving them the
fish, they’re teaching them what to do with the fish," she
said.
White follows KNBC weatherman Christopher Nance, in supporting
the Partnership Walk. Nance emceed for the last two years, but this
year White was called upon.
"I didn’t know about this foundation until a couple of months
ago, but the more I learned about about it, I couldn’t say no.
"They’re such a great group of people doing so much good for the
world — it’s a no brainer; it’s just a good cause. Plus, I need
the exercise," she said strolling through the 3.1 mile course with
the other participants.