Walk to End Global Poverty at Birmingham PartnershipsInAction Walk

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, October 16, 2011. On October 16, over 1,700 walked to end global poverty in the 17th annual Partnership Walk at Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The Birmingham Partnership Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia.

Birmingham’s 2011 Partnership Walk raised $250,000. 100% of the funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to projects sponsored by the Foundation; not a cent is spent on administration.

The Walk featured lively entertainment and activities for all ages celebrating the diversity of world cultures. Spirited performances included the Cadence Show Choir, West African Dance Group, Matki Band, Zumba Performance Group, Silent Killers, and Karma Bhangra Cultural Dance Group. The Walk also included a Village in Action displaying how AKF USA projects help communities to become self sufficient and overcome the obstacles of poverty.

The Walk also attracted high-profile guests, civic leaders and local media personalities, including the Honorable William A. Bell, Sr., Mayor of Birmingham; Jack Williams, Alabama State Representative; and James "Jay" Roberson, Jr., Birmingham City Councilor. In the keynote speech, Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. acknowledged that "There are millions of children around the world that have the fear of where their next morsel of food or sip of clean fresh water will come from, or do not know the hopes and accomplishments that can flow from education. But because of the work that the Aga Khan Foundation is doing, you bring hope to those millions of children."

Read the entire press release here.