For 28 years, the World Partnership Walk has been taking place in Vancouver and across Canada to raise funds and awareness to end global poverty. A partner of the Canadian International Development Agency, the Walk has raised over $75 million to date, of which 100 per cent goes directly to the cause – not one cent is spent on admin costs. Vancity Buzz is proud to be a media partner of the 29th annual Walk taking place on Sunday, May 26 at Lumbermen’s Arch in Stanley Park.
About the World Partnership Walk
In 1985, a small group of women in Vancouver voluntarily started raising funds and walking to help end global poverty in their own small but meaningful way. They had come from Asia and Africa and wanted to give back to the communities they left behind. They persuaded 1,000 other walkers to join them in the fight against global poverty and raised $55,000 in donations (equivalent to about $120,000 today).
Today, the Walk is held in 10 cities across Canada and attracts over 40,000 people each year. In 2012, they raised over $7 million ($2 million in Vancouver), totalling over $75 million raised in the 28 years, making it the largest and most successful event of its kind in Canada.
About Aga Khan Foundation Canada
For more than 25 years, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) has worked with Canada and Canadians to support sustainable improvements in the quality of life of poor, marginalized communities in Asia and Africa, as well as foster dialogue on critical global issues to enhance Canada’s unique leadership in world affairs.
AKFC is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, a family of private, non-denominational development agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, culture, microfinance, disaster reduction, rural development, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities. The Network is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.
Not one cent spent on admin costs
Unlike many other charitable organizations, 100 per cent of all funds raised by the Walk go directly to international development projects supported by AKFC. Not one cent is spent on administration costs.
Projects are identified and implemented by local communities, targeting areas of greatest need and providing long-term sustainable solutions – like revitalizing a rural economy, ensuring clean water and sanitation, strengthening community-based organizations and educating new generations of girls and women.
Funds raised by the Walk also help AKFC to leverage additional support from major donors like the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This means that the impact of every dollar you donate is multiplied many times over.
For examples on where the funds go, click here.
Walk day
There are plenty of activities taking place at the event, including: live music and entertainment, great food including a tropical fruit and snack bar, a Global Village to see where funds are going and a 5 km walk.
Register today to become an ambassador (at no charge) or volunteer.
When: Sunday, May 26, 2013
Where: Lumbermen’s Arch in Stanley Park, Vancouver
Website: www.worldpartnershipwalk.com
Twitter: @WPWVancouver / #WPWalk
For more info, check out this infographic (click to enlarge):
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