Beyond the Bike
A bike ride to raise money and awareness for widows in Afghanistan
 

Date:  Saturday, September 11th
Time:  9:00 am
Distance:  Metric Century (62 miles)
Start &  Finish:  Needham, MA
Fundraising commitment:  $500
Questions:  Call (781) 465-6464 or email info@beyondthe11th.org
 

Beyond the 11th is a non-profit organization that provides support to widows in Afghanistan who have been affected by war, terrorism and oppression. Co-founders Susan Retik and Patti Quigley were moved to action in the wake of September 11th, which claimed the lives of their husbands.  Blessed with overwhelming support from their families and communities, the obvious disparity between the support they received and the cruel realities facing their Afghan counterparts prompted them to channel their grief towards empowering Afghan widows to realize a better and sustainable future.
 
Proceeds from Beyond the Bike will fund a training program for local Afghan widows to become Skilled Birth Attendants.  Candidates learn enough during a series of intensive four-week trainings to prevent nearly 70% of maternal and newborn deaths.


• Maternal deaths are the SECOND highest in the world,
  where ONE woman dies EVERY 30 minutes

• The infant mortality rate is the HIGHEST in the world
   where one in four children die before the age of 5


Not only will this program save the lives of the mothers and infants, but it also provides the Afghan widows with a valuable skill, enabling them to contribute monetary support to their families and greatly improve their social status within their community.

Please help us reach our goal of raising $75,000