Dear friends, as you know my next run is in Arizona the 26th and 27th of October.  I’ll be running 100 miles (Javalina 100),  and  as I am wrapping up my training I want to let you know of how I am doing.  As you already know, I have a passion for running  and over coming obstacles.  All of my life I have been an underdog and somehow I have been able to pull in a David in the face of improbably odds.   What you probably don’t know about me is that all along I had help, plenty of it.   When I first came to the United States, I had the help of a scholarship program that gave me the tools and opportunity to better my life.  When I was faced with a brain tumor,  I had many people, you included, to help me recover and get my life back in track.  In all, I am here because I had help, plenty of it.   And today, I want to let you know about an organization I have become passionate about…, Asante Africa Foundation (www.asanteafrica.org).  Like me, this organization believes in the power of education, knowledge, opportunities, – globally!

In October 26-27, I will be running a 100 mile race in Arizona  in Asante’s behalf.   I want to be able to help children in Africa the way I was helped way back when.  The race I will be running is the “javalina Jundred”  (http://www.aravaiparunning.com/javelina-jundred/)

My training has been going well until a few weeks ago when I developed a bad case of plantar facitis AGAIN.  I am on treatment now, but it is what it is and I’ll be toeing the starting line in Arizona in less that 10 days.  This time for something bigger and greater than simply bragging rights and a finisher buckle.  This time I am doing it to give a few children the opportunity to be able to go to school and better themselves, obtain leaderships skills that that will allow them to become beacons of change in their communities.

As you also know, I am really good at sharing my stories but I struggle to reach out and it is even harder to ask for help or discuss money.  GULP,soooo  here it goes!  To make it a bit easier to talk about it, Asante Africa has secured $10,000 in matching funds to match 1:1 of every dollar my team is able to raise up to October 30^th.  My Dear Friends, you too can help my campaign by making a donation.

As we go into the fall, we are working hard to fund:

1)       100 young people (most are orphaned yet very bright and talented) needing sponsorship to go to school this next school year ( $750 per full year)

2)      100 students waiting to see if they will get a chance to go to leadership and entrepreneurship incubator ( $250 per student)in early December.

3)      Several really innovative programs around Entrepreneurship, Girl’s Health and Modern Technology as learning tools

So I am asking for your help in this way.

Can you consider making a donation in my campaign??  Whether it is $1000, $200 or $30.  A gift of every size has a life changing impact. It makes a difference in a world where opportunity is not prevalent yet hunger and desire for that opportunity is.  Please go here to make a donation….

If you make a donation before October 30^th, it get’s matched.

Please consider making a donation.

Thanks

Luis Velasquez.