Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 9, 2023
A Mumbai-based Non-Governmental Organisation is urging New Zealanders to participate in a Run or Walk event to raise awareness of rural education in India.
‘Run for Education,’ is the theme of the initiative organised by Light of Life Trust from August 13 to August 15, 2023 all over the world, with the participants having the flexibility of running or walking anywhere, anytime.
However, those running between 15 kms and 21.1 kms, known as Half-Marathon, should record their activity on a Mobile App and upload their photograph on a dedicated website.
Light of Life Trust Chief Executive Ramesh Dawani said that about 42 million children drop out of secondary schools in rural parts of India and that the Trust has been at the forefront of the ‘send-them-back-to-school initiative since its formation in 2005.
“The Run for Education this year aims to send 1000 children back to school. We implore all those keen on fostering the cause of education to join us in this Special International Virtual Run for Education and spread the message of ‘Education for All. Each of us can make a difference. We are calling people all over the world to be inspired by our motive,” he said.
Mr Daswani said that all monies collected through the initiative will be donated for the education of children in rural communities.
Tips and Precautions
Mr Daswani advised all those taking part to ensure their own safety while Running or Walking.
“Participants must choose their running or walking routes carefully ensuring that it is safe to do so, complying at the same time, with the local rules and regulations in force. Some areas in some cities or places may not be suitable or safe for these activities. Participants must seek appropriate advice from the proper authorities and the organisers are not liable for loss, injury or other incidents in this connection,” he said.
People running two kms, five kms and 10 kms need not record any information.
“People running 15 kms and 21.1 kms (considered Half Marathon) must record the data on an App (such as Stava, RunKeeper Google Fit) that records Running and Walking in terms of kms covered, time taken, date and time. Every participant should also take a photograph of running or walking. This is required for issuing a Certificate,” he said.
The Details
The Programme facilitates participants to run or walk anytime, anywhere between August 13 and August 15, 2023.
As mentioned, Those running or walking 15 kms and 21.1 kms (Half Marathon) should record their date on the App and save it. Post Run Click on https://cyruns.in/lolt
On the page click on Download Certificate Tab (Effective only from August 13, 2023) and fill in the following details: 1. Select Your Name from Drop Down List 2. Mobile Number 3. Activity 4 Kms Ran or Walked 5. Time in Hours, Minutes and Seconds 6. Upload the photograph that you prefer on the Certificate (maximum 5 MB) 7. Proof of Run (Only for 15 kms and 21.1 kms Runners)
Once you have filled in all the details, click submit after which you will move to the photo adjustment page. Adjust the photo and click on crop and save it.
Your provisional certificates will be ready for download immediately.
You can download and share it on your social media handles with the following hashtags, #LOLT #LOLTRunForEducation #RunForEducation.
For further information or clarification, please call 0091-6351580588 (only between 10 am and 6 pm Indian Standard Time) or Email loltrun4education@gmail.com
About the Light of Life Trust
Light of Life Trust was established in 2002 by Villy Doctor, an academic, psychologist and therapist to help underprivileged children in rural communities to complete their secondary education. As the Founder and Managing Trustee, her vision is to transform the lives of rural communities.
The Trust initiated Project Anando in 2005 in Karjat, a small city in Raigad District in Maharashtra as a part of its education programme. The Project aims to support underprivileged rural children to complete their secondary education, as well as focusing on their all-round development. Over the years it has impacted about 20,000 children and 1200 teachers directly and more than 195,000 community members indirectly in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Odisha through Anando and the subsequent projects titled Anando Plus, Anando School Empowerment Programme and Anant.
In 2010, the Trust established Project Jagruti at Tiware (Karjat in Raigad District, Maharashtra) to support the holistic development of underprivileged rural communities and has reached out to more than 205, 400 beneficiaries and their families through three major programmes across eighty centres operating across Raigad, Thane, Nandurbar, Akola and Mumbai Districts in Maharashtra and Sikar District in Rajasthan.
The Trust has also been operating its Livelihood and Skill Development Programme since 2010, providing skill-based training to underprivileged women and youth and equipping them to attain financial independence.
“Our Trust has been working with many other organisations to break the generational cycle of poverty, one life at a time. At the centre of our projects are single parent, neglected, tribal and/or orphan children, youth and women from rural communities of India and their holistic development,” Mr Daswani said.
