Hello people!!!!

We know you have been hearing about this for ages ... but it is now all systems go (Jane is actually learning how to drive). It is no longer a joke ... we are driving (racing) from Nepal to the bottom of India in a tuk tuk!!!  Take a look here to get the lowdown http://rickshawrun.theadventurists.com/index.php?page=overview .

Obviously, the only thing stopping us is that we need some money ... your money.  Lots, please!!!!  Every penny we raise will go directly to the chosen charities and we promise not to keep even one penny.  We are heading off at the end of December so it is all about supporting us well before then.

We need to raise some serious moolla for two charities.  This Just Giving page supports Mercy Corps (we have another Just Giving Page for Maiti Nepal).  To the left is a bit about what Mery Corps do generally and also a link to their website.  This year the money raised will be dedicated to Mercy Corps' work in Jasodapur, Orissa, a rural agricultural village in one of the poorest states in India. 

Mercy Corps in Orissa

Mery Corps has identified some of the key problems facing Jasodapur; limited and basic health facilities, isolation from Government services; limited education resources, susceptibility to natural disasters such as cyclones, droughts and floods, limited farming knowledge.

The money we raise will impact roughly 25,000 people through facilitating:

- the provision of £10,000 to the Jasodapur Farmers' Cooperative so that more farmers can access low interest loans to improve their businesses;

- the creation of a seed bank to loan seeds to farmers during the planting season; they will then return new seeds to the bank after the harvest;

- the establishment of food markets so that farmers can collectively sell their produce for a higher price;

- the organsiation of business training sessions for the Cooperative;

- the construction of two reservoirs to assist with irrigation; and

- training regarding crop cultivation, livestock rearing and various other farming techniques and practices.  
 
This is just a summary of Mercy Corps' work - do let either of us know if you want more information.

Thanks so much in advance for any support you can give us and please do take a look at our other Just Giving page which is dedicated to Maiti Nepal - a local charity helping vulnerable and exploited women and children in Nepal, we need to raise money for both to take part in the challenge.  We hope to keep you all updated via our website which we are in the process of making look pretty (http://rickshawrun10w.theadventurists.com/index.php?mode=teamwebsites&name=lasmuyrapidas.

Arantxa & Jane