Blogathon for a BlogDay

23 November, 2003 3:48 PM

I've been thinking about how to celebrate my first year of blogging.

I have decided to have a 24 hour blogathon here to raise money for a charity. Would people be willing to sponsor me? The charity I'd like to donate money to is International Needs (IN) who work with the poor in many third world countries. I'd specifically like to give money to a project in Manilla Philippines to provide poverty stricken families with the means to earn an income.

I want to raise at least $400 (Australian - which is about $270US) which is needed as seed money to buy a 'pedicab' (its like a rickshaw). The pedicab is then given to a family for one year. Over that period the family uses the pedicab to earn income (usually a reasonable income) - they make payments to IN for the pedicab and over the year are able to pay it off completely. At the end of the year they own the asset outright and have an asset which they can use to earn income on an ongoing basis. This is usually enough to break the poverty cycle for this family.

IN then takes the initial seed money ($400AU) and does the same thing with another family. Each year the money funds another family.

I like the model because it gives people a way to work their way out of their circumstances in a very empowering way. I've met some of these families. I know this works.

Anyway - this is what I want to do - I will blog for 24 hours non stop (heaven help us) if readers will sponsor me.

I'll open a paypal account and post a mailing address. I'll get a running tally of donations, and keep you posted on the response from IN.

What do you think? Up for it? I'm after some idea if this is worth doing or not - feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email if you I should go ahead with it.

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