An Aashayein Foundation initiative, ‘Aashayein Walkathon 09’, will be held on Sunday August 30th at Kanteerava stadium, Bengaluru. The event is expected to start at 7:30 AM. We invite people from all walks of life to come together for the cause of education. Our intent is  to create an opportunity for people to come forward and involve one-self to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children. It’s a walk for the celebration of education.

Aashayein Foundation was a dream project of a few IT professionals in Bangalore to bring education to the underprivileged. In the past three years, the group has grown into a 300-member strong organisation in the city and has expanded its territory to Hyderabad and more recently to Kolkata and Chennai.

Poster provided by Aashayein.

We work on all aspects of providing quality education to under privileged children. Apart from sponsoring education for some, there are programs to improve education in associated government schools, distribution of uniforms, stationery and school bags in rural sectors and breakfast serving in schools, orphanages and old-age homes.

The first ‘Aashayein Walkathon’ was organised last year. The event is a fund-raiser cum awareness drive to let people know about the foundation and its goals. The 4 km walk starting at Kanteerva Indoor stadium aims to create a platform to interact with people from all walks of life, to emphasise on the importance of education and to present them with an opportunity to contribute to the lives of the kids by joining the group.  It is often seen that a lot of educated citizens are socially aware and want to contribute for the betterment of our society, but they lack direction.

Events such as this, try to guide such responsible citizens to share their time and happiness with the less fortunate. Contribution does not necessarily mean monetary, as time is the most precious thing one can give. Sharing your social skills and creative minds would also help the group in expanding its facilities as well as horizons. As it is often said, all you need is the will, and you shall indeed find the way. If you have the will to help, the group shall most definitely show you the way. That is the promise and the hope Aashayein aims to fulfill with this event.

Last year, the walkathon saw the participation of 400 plus enthusiastic Bangaloreans and helped raise Rs. 7.5 lakhs for the cause. This year, the awareness has grown and so has event. With media partners such as  Fun cinemas, DHOOM network and Radio One, the foundation aims to raise adequate funds for its projects and also double its strength by enrolling more and more enthusiastic volunteers.  On August 30th 2009, 7:30 AM at Kanteerava indoor stadium, Bangaloreans shall walk to show their faith in a dream. A dream of 100 per cent literacy, a dream we hope to make possible.
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