On October 11th, 2009, I will be running my first ever full marathon: 26.2 miles or 42 km. I will be flying to Chicago and running the Chicago Marathon with more than 45,000  runners. I am doing a 16 week training program on my own, and I am looking forward to reaching this unbelievable journey.  I know it is not going to be easy. Training 20 mile runs in Miami summer weather is not easy, I'm also not training with a group, and I know about 5 people in Chicago! I know that with your support I can do this!  I will walk it if I have to!

I chose this organization since this is my native and home country. I have seen the poverty first hand. I am also part of  ANF (American Nicaraguan Foundation) www.aidnicaragua.org where we gather together to help raise funds for those in need.

My goal is to raise $2,620.00. I chose that number because I am embarking in a 26.2 mile journey. If I can get 262 people to donate $10.00 my fundraising target will be met. I could also get 100 people to donate $26.20. Every little bit counts and every little bit will help!

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  Nicaragua has a population of over 5.3 million, and 4 million people live in poverty, and they live on less than $1 a day.

• 1 of 23 children dies before reaching the age of five
• 1 of 5 Nicaraguans suffer from malnutrition
• 1 of 2 Nicaraguans do not have access to the most essential medicines
• 1.1 million Nicaraguans do not have a home
• 1 out of 2 Nicaraguans that do have a home, live overcrowded
• 2 out of 5 existing units are constructed out of scrap and impermanent materials

Through your donations, the funds that we raise will go towards programs such as  education, nutrition, health, community development, sanitation, economic development, and a few others. 99% of every dollar goes directly to creating opportunity and hope for our project beneficiaries.

 

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

-Melissa