The grandson of the last messenger of God Hussain ibn Ali, refused to bow to tyranny, and was martyred along with 72 members of his family in a desert land, having been deprived of water for three days. Since then, a walk from Najaf to Karbala (the land where he was slain) is customarily undertaken by millions of people annually (40 days after the day of his death) to commemorate his great sacrifice. (www.WhoIsHussain.org)
Once again, in December of 2013 by the grace of God, a group of individuals from different parts of the world will unite to complete an 80km walk through war-torn Iraq from the holy city of Najaf to the land of Karbala. They shall walk for three days during the daytime with the scorching desert sun bearing down upon them and they will rest in the evenings in makeshift tents, when the blistering cold takes over as temperatures rapidly plummet.
Although this is primarily a spiritual journey, it is also a great opportunity to make a real difference in the world. This year, the team is aiming to raise £137,000 and the money you sponsor will aim to improve water supply, food production, health, education and socio-economic status of the poor and needy in the Garissa and Wajir Counties of Northeast Kenya. We aim to do this through the following:
1. To construct a borehole in Boransis in Garissa County to improve water supply for the village.
2. To set up a greenhouse and irrigation and farming system in Boransis village of Garissa County.
3. To set up a greenhouse and irrigation and farming system in AliKune village of Garissa County.
4. To set up a greenhouse and irrigation and farming system in Giriftu village, Wajir County.
5. To dig 20 shallow wells in Wajir County.
6. To rehabilitate 40 shallow wells in Wajir County.
7. To develop 200 kitchen gardens in Wajir County.
8. To construct two 4-door latrines in Wajir and Garissa Counties.
9. To plant 5,000 trees.
10. To provide desks, chairs and shelves to 2 needy schools.
11. To sponsor 10 students from the target areas studying in various colleges and universities of Kenya.
12. To evaluate the effects of the above projects mid-term, at completion and one year after completion.
For a full pdf of how the £137,000 will be broken down to achieve the above 12 aims, please email najaf2karbala@hotmail.co.uk
"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life."
- Nelson Mandela
