Celebrating 35 Years of Positive Impact -with the World Partnership Walk

How do you leave your foot print in the world?

What inspires positive change in you?

As being part of the Ismaili Community, it has been ingrained in us that we need to give back and make a difference. There are many ways one can give of themselves and inspire others to the same such as giving of your time, your financial resources, your intellectual resources and much more. For myself, I am turned on and inspired by individuals who make a difference in the world and are larger than themselves. We have been given an abundance of resources but if we don’t do anything to make a difference then we have wasted our purpose on earth.

The amount of time, knowledge or monetary support you choose to give is totally up to your discretion but the most important thing is to give with your heart. When you give truly it will come back to you in many folds.

This year marked the 35^th anniversary of the World Partnership Walk which was established by six forward-thinking women here in Vancouver who wanted to alleviate global poverty. They started off raising $50,000 with only 1,000 attendees at that walk, and today, the World Partnership Walk is the largest fundraiser of its kind and has raised $120 Million to date, with over 50,000 attendees across 10 cities in Canada.

As a young girl, I grew up seeing the huge impact that this walk has had but not only that, to date I have not missed one walk in the last 35 years. I recently took part in The Vancouver SunRun to discover that in the 35 years that they have been around, they have only raised $2.5 Million for charity and they have a much larger reach and I was heartbroken but also very proud of the World Partnership Walk as 100% of the funds raised year after year go towards micro-financing loans for women, rural development (schools, hospitals, roads, agriculture, land development), self-sustainability -the philosophy is if you teach a man to fish then you have fed a village for life.

Normally, I am volunteering in some shape or form at the Walk but this year I brought my corporate team with me and walked the walk. They were all impressed to find out that the whole walk was organized by volunteers. There is only one paid staff for each city. Year after year I am always amazed and grateful for how The World Partnership Walk continues to impact so many people and through volunteering hours.

You too can get involved with the walk by:

• Donating to the Walk by clicking here
• Form a team and encourage everyone to raise funds and walk

• Raise Funds yourself
• Volunteer at the walk by registering here
• Come to the walk to have the food (which goes towards the expenses of the walk)

You defiantly do not want to miss the walk itself as it is a huge outdoor party with a barbeque, live entertainment (a band, different cultural dances, henna tent, activities for the kids and much more), there is something for everyone to do. You get to meet and mingle with a lot of people and enjoy the beautiful view of Vancouver and weather. There were about 10,000 attendees this year in Vancouver and $1.5 Million was raised. Which then will be matched by various sponsors and CIDA. 

I look forward to seeing you next year at the World Partnership Walk in Vancouver, BC at Lumberman’s Arch, Stanley Park on the last Sunday of May.

How do make an impact in your community?

How would you like to get involved in the World Partnership Walk?

By Fatima Sumar

Photo Credit: Karim Kassam

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