Thank You for visiting my runner’s profile. My name is Dhiraj Kumar and I am coordinator for Asha(hope) For Education marathon program. Running is one of my passion and I help “starter-runners” realize their dreams of running marathon. I think running cleanses one’s soul, mind and body. Running takes closer to nature and gives one opportunity to “take-care” of oneself which otherwise we often forget to do in this fast pace daily routine. Runners are some of the best people I have come across and I believe running has the potential to solve any socio-economic problem; big or small.
My this effort though is to help educate some of the most unprivileged children who otherwise has no hope. My effort may be “small drop in the ocean”, but if we combine our effort it can sow the seeds of BIG hope. Do you want to help sow some of those seeds ? Please read on if yes.
Following are some of the questions which might help you make decision:
Why am I reaching out to you for donation ?
Please take it as an opportunity to change the world in a positive way. Having said that, you’re here because you like supporting a better world, and I see this as a way to connect you to a great cause, a great steward of money, achieving high impacts.
Second, A single dollar goes a long way. This is NOT a zero sum game. Even if you consider your contribution as a “loss” for you, the “gain” for others far exceeds that loss. Your contribution of the value of even one meal out, means the very intangible and priceless commodity of “Asha” or hope for a child.
When I humble myself to ask to help others it gives me an opportunity to “stretch” myself and help me grow as a person.
Does your contribution matter ?
Absolutely. It doesn’t matter how small your contribution is. The span of recorded history shows that tangible good-will matters; more apparent still is that societal indifference retards our collective evolution. On immediate level, I use your support as inspiration. Each step I take during my training and during my run is fueled by knowing its purpose, knowing what I can achieve to improve myself, what we can achieve to improve the world, if we each just push ourselves a little bit.
Why do I run for Asha For Education ?
First of all I get great contentment so I think I run for myself i.e for my body and my soul. But more importantly it gives me immense pleasure when I am reminded that my running could touch another soul, soul of unprivileged children. We all imagine and want to do something good for others but taking the time out to actually do it is not many people do. And when I realize that simple things like running has a potential of impacting others life just pumps me up to go out and put some miles.
I have been running since 2011 and this will be my thirteenth marathon. So far I have run four full-marathon and nine half-marathons. And yet every run is hard. The endurance each run requires reminds me of the endurance needed by the children served by Asha, children without privileges. Our fundamental human dignity and individuality is conferred upon us at birth. These children have to fight hard to earn it. Our efforts at anything often build towards our life progress. Their efforts are poured into the daily struggle for basic needs. Just a little extra effort from us, a little contribution for the cause, can get them out of a cycle of wasted potential and into a zone of sustainable progress. This makes a better world for us all.
Why Asha For Education?
Asha achieves tremendous change with an all volunteer (no one gets paid), non-heirarchical, near-zero overhead, non-sectarian and secular group. I wouldn’t have thought it possible but I’ve seen it myself through my 16+ years working for Asha. Through Asha I dare say I can do more for the underprivileged. It reminds me that my life is more than just about me.
What is your target fundraising goal?
I would like to raise at least $1300($100/per mile) for Asha St. Louis projects. Every dollar donated will go to projects, Asha is a near-zero overhead organization. No amount is too small.
Experiences working for Asha For Education
Picture an Assembly hall full of determined children; large eyes all fixed on you with hope – it is a powerful and humbling experience.
-Some have reluctant parents at home (for those who do)
-Or hungry little siblings who make them wonder if they need to work instead of studying.
-Some of them have alcoholic fathers.
-Some have mothers in prison.
-Some are girls who are told that they are not fit to do anything but marry and bear children.
-Some are rejected by society because their parents were lepers or prostitutes.
Yet these children fight to come to school. They believe in the power of their own education, against so many odds. Through Asha, I want to empower them, their communities, their teachers, and everyone who believes that their reality can change. I believe that they should have hope, they deserve “Asha”.
Asha (Hope) is a volunteer run non-profit that raises funds for the education of underprivileged children in India. The goal is to lift people out of poverty by empowering them through education.
Asha is a zero-overhead organization, which means that every donated dollar reaches education projects in India. Asha has a four star rating (highest possible) from Charity Navigator. This is partly because of the unique overhead policy and the fully volunteer driven, organisation structure.
Please choose Asha as your charity of choice this year, and support the cause as well as support my run. Your contribution is an important motivator for me to go farther and faster! No amount is too small.
Alternatively, mail cheques payable to: “Asha for Education”
with “Dhiraj- Team Asha St. Louis 2021” printed in the memo to:
Asha for Education, St. Louis Chapter
PO Box 888080
Los Angeles, CA 90088-8080