Ottawa Walk to bring hope and renewal to communities in Africa and Asia

Ottawa Walk to bring hope and renewal to communities in Africa and Asia

    OTTAWA, June 1 /CNW Telbec/ - On Sunday, June 3rd, hundreds of residents
of the National Capital Region will join in the 23rd annual World Partnership
Walk to increase awareness and raise funds for programs that bring hope and
renewal to vulnerable families and communities in Africa and Asia. This year's
Guest of Honour in Ottawa is the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario.
   Organized by volunteers, the Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation
Canada (AKFC) -- a not-for-profit, non-denominational development agency. All
proceeds of the Walk (100%) go directly to programs that seek to improve
education, health care and rural livelihoods while strengthening
community-based organizations in some of the poorest parts of the world.
   On Sunday, participants can expect an experience that is both meaningful
and fun, through activities that inform, educate and entertain. In addition to
the Honourable James K. Bartleman, guests include Councillor Rick Chiarelli,
representing His Worship, Mayor Larry O'Brien and other members of the
diplomatic community. Ms. Jerri Southcott, host of Living in Ottawa, on CBC
Television, will join us in celebrating this partnership with the developing
world. The theme for the Walk this year is "making education count". Come out
to walk and visit the "global village"; learn how AKFC is helping to improve
access to education and the quality of learning in places like Kenya,
Tanzania, India and Bangladesh.
   Since its inception in 1985, the World Partnership Walk (nationally) has
raised more than $36 million, including more than $5 million in 2006. Funds
raised by the Walk help AKFC leverage additional support from the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) and other major donors. In this way,
contributions to the Walk stretch even further to help impoverished families
and communities become self-reliant.
   "Canadians are quietly playing an important role beyond our borders,"
said Mr. Aly N. Alibhai, this year's Convenor of the World Partnership Walk in
Ottawa. "Together, AKFC and its partners are opening schools in isolated areas
of Africa and helping farmers in Afghanistan gain control of their futures,"
he said. "There is reason for hope and I encourage everyone to come out and
join us on Sunday June 3rd."
   The Walk will take place at Confederation Park (Elgin and Laurier), at
11:00 a.m., Sunday June 3rd. So far more than 20 Teams have registered and
raised funds. World Partnership Walk participants can join as individuals or
on a team. Registration is free and can be done in advance or on site on Walk
day. For more information please visit www.worldpartnershipwalk.com or call
1-800-267-2532.

   Aga Khan Foundation Canada has been creating lasting and effective
solutions to the challenges of global poverty for more than 25 years. As an
agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKFC benefits from a unique global
vantage point from which it undertakes a wide-ranging agenda of humanitarian
work.

For further information: please contact: Jennifer Morrow, Manager,
Communications, 1-800-267-2532 (ext. 107), Mobile: (613) 262-3424,
Jennifer@akfc.ca; Aly Alibhai, Convenor, World Partnership Walk 2007, Ottawa,
Mobile: (613) 762-2223

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