Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you did not live in Canada? Many of us, or our families, were born in different countries before moving to Canada but we sometimes forget how lucky we are to live here. We all have the basic necessities to live, free access to basic healthcare and education, and a peaceful life in a pluralistic society where diverse religions and cultures are respected.
But what if you grew up in a small remote village, perhaps enduring political volatility and warfare, without a structured healthcare or education system to rely on, living in extreme poverty on less than $1.25 a day?
There are more than 1 Billion people that this is a reality for today.
They come into this life, not only lacking the basic necessities to survive, but also the foundational pillars to thrive; like education and healthcare.
Mowlana Hazar Imam often talks about striving for a Meritocratic society, where individuals are rewarded in society based on their merit. This is far from the case for those who live in extreme poverty; no matter how intelligent, how hardworking, how talented they may be, it will be extremely difficult for them to overcome their situation.
The Aga Khan Foundation Canada invests in programs that target community-driven, sustainable solutions to poverty by making it possible for poor people to act in ways that will lead to long-term improvements in their income, health, environment, and education of their children. We, as Canadians, are lucky to live in this great country and now have the responsibility to help others who are less fortunate. We can all help break the cycle of poverty by fundraising for the AKFC through the World Partnership Walk! Getting involved is quick and easy:
- Become an ambassador by registering on the WPW website at www.worldpartnershipwalk.com or picking up a donation book at the Donor Services Desk
- Talk to fellow Canadians, your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and co-workers about the Aga Khan Foundation and the Walk and tell them why it’s so important for Canadians to get involved!