Hello Friends, I’d like to share a quick story and then make a “Big Ask.”
A couple of weeks ago, I was riding my bike from Juanita Beach to Seattle. At a red light when I went to unclip my cleats my bike skid. I fell one way and my bike went the other bending my handlebars and dislodging the chain. For a moment I was scared and shocked. I checked for broken bones – there were none, just some lovely bruises on my knees. The people I was riding with helped me to fix my bike and they supported and encouraged me as I climbed aboard and continued my ride. With their help, I was able to continue my journey, despite my pain and nervousness. I can laugh about it now after I achieved my goal of riding 46 miles. I love to turn moments of trial and pain into moments of joy.
Why did I keep going?
On July 16th I will ride in the Seattle to Portland race, over 206 miles, hopefully without falling. My training will eventually total 1200 miles, bruised knees, and lots of learning.
And here is my “Big Ask.” I want you to join me.
Not by riding with me, although you are welcome to grab a bike and pedal in. For the rest of you, I’m asking for your sponsorship by donating to an organization that has become very important to me.
I am riding with purpose and passion. I am riding for an organization called Asha for Education. It is a 99% volunteer-driven, non-profit whose mission is “To catalyze socio-economic change in India through education of underprivileged children.” And while they are doing this, they provide opportunities like biking, running, hiking, and climbing for adults like me, for mothers who feel “stuck” at home and are looking for challenges while seeking to raise money for children in need. Those of us who are associated with Asha love and value the volunteers who guide and inspire us, helping us to develop a sense of worth, to feel we are contributing to a larger community.
My friends you know that along with my passion for the outdoors and all of its beauty and challenges, I also have a passion for learning, and for helping young people to learn. But I know that for kids to learn, they must have opportunity. Asha provides that – the word “asha” is Hindi for “hope.”
Please donate. Here are some ways that your donation to Asha will help:
- $25 – $50 can supply food – and hope – to a child for a year,
- $50 – $100 can cover the cost of learning for 6 children through an elementary school experience.
- $100 – $150 can cover the cost of education and food for one child for a year.
Falling on my bike revealed my own strength and resilience at overcoming challenges. Your donation can provide that for the children served by Asha.
A final thought. There is a Tibetan proverb that goes like this: A child without education is like a bird without wings.
Let’s give children wings. Let’s give children hope. Ride with me by sponsoring and donating.
Thank you.
Rinku
For more info about Asha for Education and the projects it supports, please check the links below
https://seattle.ashanet.org/
https://ashanet.org/projects-list/
https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/770459884