Houston Takes a Step to End Global Poverty at Partnership Walk/Run

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HOUSTON: On November 15, over 4,000 participants raced to end global poverty in the annual Houston Partnership Walk at Sam Houston Park. The Houston Partnership Walk/Run is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia.

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The charity event raised more than $1.6 million for AKF USA programs worldwide. 100% of the funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to projects supported by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration.

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“The Partnership Walk is not just a walk,” said Houston Mayor Annise Parker at the Walk’s opening speech. “It is a day of celebration and action to raise awareness about international development, and a chance for concerned individuals to join together and raise resources that contribute to community-based programs oversees – providing people with the tools and opportunities to build skills which will enable families in poverty to lead self-sufficient and healthy lives,”

Mayor Parker, joined by First Lady Kathy Hubbard, served as the Honorary Chair for this year’s Partnership Walk/ Run. The Walk was one of the largest public events for the Citizenship Month, which is observed each year in November to celebrate Houston’s diversity. Dr. William Flores chaired the Honorary Host Committee for the 2014 Walk, which included civic, community and corporate leaders.

The event was a day of fun for the whole family with activities for all ages celebrating a rich diversity of cultures. Clutch, the Houston Rockets Bear, warmed up the crowd at the starting line before they took off. One of the most inspiring features of Partnership Walk was the Village in Action, where participants enjoyed interactive exhibits spotlighting the Foundation’s practical solutions for alleviating poverty from Afghanistan to Zanzibar.

To learn more about the event, visit www.partnershipsinaction.org/houston.

This year marks the 20th anniversary for Partnership Walk / Run events, which will be held in nine major U.S. cities. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction activities including the annual Partnership Walk, Run and Golf events have attracted over 440,000 participants and raised over $63 million for poverty alleviation projects supported by AKF USA.

Participants help communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia to create long-term, self-help solutions to lift themselves out of poverty. These contributions make a tremendous impact in creating opportunities for girls in Afghanistan to go to school, for farmers in Mali to feed their families, and mothers in India to lead healthy lives.

AKF USA, established in 1981, is a private, non-denominational, not-for-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health. The Foundation works to address the root causes of poverty by supporting and sharing innovative solutions in the areas of health, education, rural development, civil society, and the environment. AKF USA is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.

AKF USA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network, a network of private, non-denominational, development agencies around the world, established by His Highness the Aga Khan to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, improve living conditions and opportunities. The Network’s agencies work for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion and its underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society.

For further information, contact:
Farah Lalani Media Coordinator AKF USA Volunteer Team for Southwest Region
cell: 281-515-2213 email: farah@starlightcommunication.com
Munira Panjwani Outreach/ Media AKF USA Volunteer Team for Southwest Region
cell: 713-298-3073 email: munirapanjwani@aol.com
Martha Sipple Communications & Public Affairs Manager Aga Khan Foundation USA phone: 202-293-2537   cell: 202-203-0838   email: Martha.Sipple@akdn.org