Thank you to everyone who signed up to volunteer at this year’s World Partnership Walk (WPW), to be held on Sunday, June 9. We received great interest from volunteers, and most duties have been filled. 

The Walk gives Canadians a chance to give our time and resources. Our volunteers, ambassadors and donors are directly contributing to communities living in extreme poverty, and a chance at sustainable development. 

As a token of appreciation, all registered volunteers in Edmonton will receive this year’s WPW Volunteer t-shirt.

Edmonton Walk Ambassadors who raise $500 or more will receive a food coupon for a burger platter in addition to other ambassador gifts.

At this year’s Walk, there will be some new activities to help increase Edmonton’s fundraising efforts. 100% of proceeds raised through Walk activities and food sales will go towards our fundraising goal. See Walk volunteers at the desk in the foyer for more information.

Food:
Burger (beef or veggie), with chips and salad - $6
Corn on the cob - $2
Ice cream soda float - $3
Popcorn - free

Activities:
Carnival - $5 for 5 games, and $10 for 12 games
Golf - $5 for 3 putts
Face painting - free
Henna - free

Sign up for Edmonton Walk updates using our new Walkbot Vida, which gives you updates on Facebook Messenger and answer your questions. Click http://bit.ly/VidaBot or search for “World Partnership Walk Bot” on Facebook to get started. You can also search “World Partnership Walk Edmonton” and click on “Going” on the event to stay up-to-date on walk details.

 World Partnership Walk books can be returned in Jamatkhanas to the AKF Teams to avoid line-ups at the walk.  Gift Vouchers can be collected at that time as well.

A truly special and impactful year

Six years ago, I got involved in World Partnership Walk again for the first time in 20 years. And every year since then, I am inspired by the passionate people who step forward for a cause that means so much to me.

This year is no different. I’m blown away by the energy of the campaign so far. As I’m writing to you, there are thousands of fundraisers signed up that are leading change in their communities. There have also been countless events unifying global citizens across the country. And so many more people have donated to fight global poverty. It’s shaping up to be a truly special year. And friend, you need to be part of it.

As we approach our Walk Day celebrations, I would like to invite you to step forward with us. Together, we can make this year’s Walk truly special and impactful for communities around the world. Register today.

Warm regards,

Shakeel Bharmal | Chief Operating Officer &
Director of Resource Development

#WPWalk #AKFC

Saving lives in the mountains of Afghanistan

Every morning Dr. Hajira tours the maternity wards at the Faizabad hospital with other doctors and trainees, drawing on her 30 years of experience as an OB/GYN to identify and treat complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

In Afghanistan, 396 women will die in childbirth for every 100,000 babies born. In Canada, this number is 7. “The reasons why mothers pass away during childbirth is the same everywhere in the world. It depends on the facilities available to them,” says Dr. Hajira, who was the first female doctor in the province of Badakhshan.

By training health care professionals, upgrading hospitals and clinics, and working with local communities, Aga Khan Development Network is helping to improve health care for over 1.2 million women and children in Afghanistan. Read the full story here.

Join the nation-wide movement to fight global poverty and provide care to millions of women and children around the world. Register online for World Partnership Walk today.

#WPWalk #AKFC

World Partnership Walk is excited to launch an Edmonton Teams Fundraising Challenge for May! Grow your team and fundraising efforts for the opportunity to get an extra $500 or $1000!

How it works:

- For every team that has at least five (5) active fundraising participants and fundraises $3500, a generous donor will sponsor the team an additional $500.
- As an added incentive to grow your team and increase team fundraising: for every team that has at least ten (10) active fundraising participants and fundraises a minimum of $9000, an additional $500 will be sponsored to the team.

This Edmonton based Team Fundraising Challenge will end on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 11:59pm MST (or until $20,000 has been contributed by the generous donor).

How a grandmother’s inspiring legacy continues to impact lives

Dolatkhanu Alibhai Hirji Mawani was a silent yet strong woman who believed in making the world a better place. She passed along these values to her 6 children, 13 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Her faith is a legacy she’s left her family and is what drove her to make a final gesture to help others around the world.

This Mother’s Day, we are celebrating strong women around world like Ms. Mawani with a match up to $51,600, her life savings that she has generously donated to inspire donations for the Walk.

Here’s how to participate in the match:

1. Register for the Walk
2. Fundraise or self-donate
3. See your funds raised matched by Ms. Mawani’s generous donation*

We look forward to celebrating matriarchs like Ms. Mawani with you this Mother’s Day.

#WPWalk #AKFC

*Only donations made online from Wednesday, May 8 to Monday, May 13, 2019 (ending at 11:59 PM PST) will be considered eligible, up to a maximum amount of $51,600. Funds raised will be added to your city’s fundraising total and not individual or team fundraising totals.

We wouldn’t have made it to year 35 without the many people who have stepped forward to fight global poverty. Meet a Change Maker who’s celebrating 30 years with us: Nizar Mitha.
 
Nizar has been fighting global poverty since 1989. Over the years his role, like the Walk itself, has evolved: as an attendee, donor, volunteer, and fundraiser.
 
Today he is the Donor Services Chair in Edmonton and the team captain of the PAGERS (Province of Alberta Government Employees and Retirees) team, which has raised $71,590 since 2005!

Today, we’re inviting you to join our milestone campaign and help us celebrate the actions of people like Nizar. Click here to register today!

#WPWalk #AKFC #ChangeMaker

Hussein Bhanji of Edmonton has been supporting World Partnership Walk for over 10 years. Year after year, Hussein joins his colleagues and friends from across the country as part of the Bank of Montreal National Team to support global change.

For Hussein, being part of a workplace team is more than just raising funds. “We’ve woven a sense of community and service into our everyday lives,” he says. “The Walk is an opportunity to come together as a larger community with others around the world to raise awareness.”

Inspired by this year’s 35th Anniversary Match, Hussein has registered early to double his impact. And you can too!

Here’s how the 35th Anniversary Match works:

• Register for the Walk
• Raise $35 online (or self-donate) by April 28th*
• A generous donor will match your $35, equaling $70!

We look forward to stepping forward with you!

*Only donations made online using www.worldpartnershipwalk.com from Tuesday, April 16th to Sunday, April 28th, 2019 (ending at 11:59 PM PST) will be considered eligible, up to a maximum amount of $35,000. Funds raised will be added to your city’s fundraising total and not individual or team fundraising totals.

Register online.

#WPWalk #AKFC #ChangeMaker