Jyoti Wadhwani's fundraiser for Vibha Striders 2019

Fundraising for Vibha Striders 2019 Master Fundraiser

When I started running two years ago, my goal was to make my family and friends proud. Little did I know that running will transform my life.

Running has helped me practice gratitude. I am able to run in safe neighborhoods, with shoes on my feet, clothes on my back, plenty of food and fluids to nourish my body. I have reached this position in life because of the education I received and I am truly grateful for that. But there are several underprivileged children in this world who are fighting for basic needs like adequate food and clothes, safe and stable housing and health care. For these children, education remains an inaccessible right.

40 million children in India lack education, healthcare, and opportunities that we take for granted. Fortunately there are organizations like Vibha (www.vibha.org) that serve underprivileged children. Since 1991, Vibha has supported more than 300+ projects in India and 10 projects in the US. As a result, Vibha has been able to provide opportunities for over 2 million underprivileged children. Door-step school is one such program supported by Vibha that provides education to children of underprivileged migrant workers and prevent them from falling out of the formal education system by providing complete support - books, meals and childcare.

I truly believe that every child deserves the right to go to school and that education has the power to create new possibilities for a child. Rightly said by Nelson Mandela - Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. For this reason, I will be running a half marathon with Vibha again this year on June 2nd. As I embark on an attempt to make a difference in the lives of these children, I am asking for your support.

You don't have to donate a lot to make a difference. Here are some numbers that show every little bit counts:

• $50 - funds rehabilitation of a child with a learning disability
• $100 - funds educational materials for five children
• $200 - funds libraries with pictorial books in two villages
• $500 - funds immunizations for 15 children
• $1,000 - funds a small education center for 28 children

My goal is to fund the educational material for 50 children and I hope you will help me contribute to this worthy cause. I promise to give it my all.

I wish you a happy life!

About Vibha

Vibha's vision is to ensure every underprivileged attains quality education. Vibha educates, enables and empowers, individuals who wish to make a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged children. Since our inception in 1991, Vibha has supported more than 250 projects in India and 10 projects in the US. As a result, Vibha has been able to reach out to and provide opportunities for over 2.3 million underprivileged children. Currently, Vibha supports 15 projects in India and 3 projects in the US.

All donations to Vibha are tax deductible. Vibha is a 501(c)(3) organization, registered in the USA in the State of New Jersey. Vibha's Tax ID is 22-3122761.