Koliyonkulam, India

When fundraising attempts on GiveMeaning for the HELP (Human Education and Liberation for the Poor) Evening School at Koliyonkulam (Tamil Nadu) delivered only 5% of the $2,308 goal in four months, Local Representative Jegan Tharmaraj chose a different route to help mobilize resources for the project.

Jegan decided in October 2008 to run the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2009 - Asia's biggest charity event for NGOs. Supported by charity partner United Way of Mumbai and the State Bank of India in this cause, he plans to run in the Half-Marathon scheduled for 18th January 2009 - a distance of 21.097 km - and is currently practicing intensely for the event.

Jegan’s initiative has managed to spread awareness and enthusiasm about the school, and has already raised more than $400. The pledges raised will be fixed-deposited and the interest used to meet its running expenses of the school. Next, Koliyonkulam plans to introduce skill training for its students in an effort to build their self-reliance.

Neighbours can support the HELP Evening School and sponsor Jegan's run through a pledge sheet available at the site. The donations will be forwarded via United Way to the Koliyonkulam Trust after the marathon.