FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Swarthout
Communications Director
(406) 585-7841
(406) 579-3235
CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE ENTHUSIAST RUNS IN SAHARA DESERT MARATHON
ON APRIL 10TH TO RAISE MONEY
FOR GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN
Ben Dailey of Brooklyn, New York will soon put himself through a grueling
competition in hopes of inspiring his friends and family to donate funds to
Central Asia Institute. The Marathon Des Sables, commonly referred to as
the "world's toughest foot race," takes place over seven days and runs 150
miles through the Sahara Desert. Competitors must be self-supported,
carrying their own food and gear while traversing dry riverbeds, desert
plains, and mammoth sand dunes, all in 110-plus degree heat.
"In order to put some significance behind this endeavor beyond the
unnecessary misery I will be heaping upon myself, I have decided to use the
race as a vehicle to raise money for a great organization, both smart and
inspiring, called Central Asia Institute," said Dailey. Central Asia
Institute (CAI) builds schools and supports girls' education in the
mountainous regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Over 20,000 children have
attended CAI’s four dozen schools in remote communities that have a fierce
desire to end centuries of illiteracy.
By supporting literacy and education for young girls, CAI helps to tackle
many of the region's problems. According to CAI spokesperson Donna
Swarthout, "educating these kids is the key to stabilizing population
growth, reducing infant mortality, promoting economic development, and
keeping would-be recruits away from terrorist groups."
Dailey is confident his enthusiasm for CAI’s mission will rub off on his
friends and family and, in turn, give him the added motivation he will need
to finish the race. "Knowing that I have your support, combined with the
fact that every mile I cross will be helping kids, may be the extra boost,
alongside my power bars and Gatorade, that gets me to the finish," says
Dailey. Dailey says he appreciates any and all donations, whether it's $1
per mile ($150) or 10 cents per mile ($15).
Although there will be no hot showers, take-out pizzas, or cold drinks in
the Sahara, the race organizers are providing a satellite Internet
connection. Dailey plans to post his daily race progress on the web at
http://BenMDS2005.blogspot.com. Dailey’s blog site has more in-depth
information about the race as well as several articles about Central Asia
Institute. Further information about CAI is also available at
www.ikat.org.
###
|
