Last week, we  introduced an opportunity to learn about one of the beneficiaries of this year's Pedal for Peace event. This week, we'll introduce the other charity that will benefit from this year's event.

AWAKEN (Afghan Women's And Kids' Education & Necessities) is a not-for-profit organization formed to enable Afghan individuals and families to become literate and self-sufficient. Founded by Bibi Bahrami, who resides in Muncie, Indiana, the organization has built a school, medical facility, and women's literacy program in the village of Behsood, Afghanistan. Currently 800 children, from several remote villages, attend the school.

As Dawn McCord writes in the latest issue of St. Luke's UMC's TIME Magazine:


Bibi was once an Afghan refugee living in Pakistan until 1986 when she came to the United States and landed in Muncie, Indiana. Since then she has married, had six children, earned her GED, become fluent in English, worked towards a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Ball State University and started AWAKEN (Afghan Women’s and Kids’ Education and Necessities, Inc.). Because Bibi had once experienced the staggering statistics of Afghan (see sidebar below), she had a desire to do something for the children of Afghanistan.

Shortly after 9/11, Bibi started her one-woman mission (with the support of her Afghan husband and children) to build schools in Afghanistan. She spent most of her time speaking with people about her vision, which quickly became the three main goals of AWAKEN: education, vocational training and health care. During the early years of AWAKEN, Bibi worked tirelessly collecting donations and making the citizens of Muncie aware of the poor conditions and lack of education (especially for girls) in Afghanistan. One unique way she accomplished this was by cooking delicious, authentic Afghan meals for hundreds. It would not be uncommon for her to cook a meal and haul it across Indiana to speak in another town.

As of 2008, AWAKEN has built not only the Quala-I-Malakh School, but also the Beshood Health Clinic. The organization also offers vocational support to women in the area in order to help them learn skills they can use to support themselves and their families. This training teaches women how to sew so that they have the ability to sew and sell clothing, making them more self-sufficient. At the end of their training, all women receive their own sewing machine. One of the biggest obstacles AWAKEN faces is ongoing funding.

AWAKEN needs a constant flow of money in order to keep the facilities in Afghanistan stocked with supplies, and to pay the salaries of teachers and medical staff. Though this organization is small, it is big in heart! Many people have come on board at AWAKEN and work just as tirelessly as Bibi. Because of their commitment, administrative costs are kept down; 94 cents of every dollar goes to fund the school, health clinic and vocational training in Beshood, Afghanistan.


We encourage Pedal for Peace participants, sponsors, donors, and friends to visit the AWAKEN web site to learn more about this organization and how we can all be part of its important work.
Add Comment
 
 
One of the beneficiaries of this year's Pedal for Peace efforts is Central Asia Institute, founded by Greg Mortenson. Many P4P participants became acquainted with Mr. Mortenson's efforts by reading Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time.

Three Cups of Tea tells the story of Mr. Mortenson's journey from mountain climber to humanitarian committed to making life better for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan through literacy and education programs. The title of the book comes from a Balti proverb: "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family..."

Reading the book, you'll get a better sense of the mission of Central Asia Institute and how important it is that it's one of the charities Pedal for Peace will benefit this year. The book will give you a better sense of what we're raising money for and help you be a better-informed P4P participant.

Once you've registered your team for this year's P4P event, why not download the Three Cups of Tea reading guide and have a team book discussion? Or meet up with another team or a friend or co-worker to share in reading the book and gaining a greater understanding of the important work of Central Asia Institute.

We can all agree that education is the key to all kinds of solutions. Let's start by making sure we're educating ourselves, too!
Add Comment
 
 
As you’re riding around Indy to train for this year’s Pedal for Peace event, be sure to check out one of the city’s newest great places, whether you’re a fan of contemporary art, environmental research, or the outdoors in general.

Just off the Canal Towpath trail, the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s new 100 Acres Nature Park offers a great stop on your ride. Eight site-specific commissions are exhibited around the park, from a larger-than-life skeleton’s “Funky Bones” to a floating island inhabited by students at Herron School of Art in the middle of the park’s central pond. All of the installations (except for the island!) are specifically designed to be viewed up close and personal – you and your family are encouraged to touch them and interact with them.


But 100 Acres is, at its heart, a park you can enjoy before you even see the art on exhibit. There’s plenty of room for a nice hike on the trails, for a leisurely stroll, or even a nice picnic. The trails are walkable, compacted gravel. If you’re hoping to ride on the trails, you’ll need a mountain bike.

On your next ride, stop by and spend some time exploring the various works of art and enjoying the outdoors. More information and pictures of the park and art installations can be seen in this PDF brochure.
Picture
Add Comment
 
 
It is official! The first day of summer was just this past Monday, June 21st. This means more people will be motivated to find outdoor activities. To kick off this summer with a bang, here are some upcoming events for you to ponder; N.I.T.E. Ride http://www.niteride.org/ is this Saturday, June 26. (Look for the Pedal for Peace folks if you happen to be at the event. We'd love to meet you and answer any questions you might have!). Next month is Carmelfest (July 4–5), Rock the District (July 24) and the Brickyard 400 (July 25). Happy pedaling!
Add Comment
 
 
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I do the things that I do?”
As the date for the Pedal for Peace 2010 draws closer and plans are developing, ask yourself this question.
Did you know that the invention of the bicycle dates back to the early 19th century? However, there are several unverifiable claims that the bicycle-like machines were invented in the 16th century. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_bicycle
According to the Wikipedia, the bicycle is defined as “vehicles for human transportation”.

Wouldn’t it be great to take this basic method of transportation and make it a “vehicle for world peace”?  That’s what Pedal for Peace is all about! As the mission states, “Pedal for Peace supports organizations throughout the world that are committed to peace through education, especially for girls and women.” 
For more information, visit www.pedalforpeace.org/
If you are seeking volunteer opportunities in Indianapolis and cycling events, we'd love to hear from you!

Feel free to share your inspirations in life with us.  What calls you to action?

“Basically we are all the same human beings with the same potential to be a good human being or a bad human being… The important thing is to realize the positive side and try to increase that; realize the negative side and try to reduce. That’s the way.” -Dalai Lama-
Add Comment
 
IndyCog! 06/07/2010
 
We are delighted to have IndyCog join us as a new sponsor of Pedal for Peace!  IndyCog is a great website to peruse for all things related to biking in Idianapolis.  See http://theindycog.com/blog/.
Add Comment
 
New Sponsors! 06/03/2010
 
Thanks to Virtual Meeting Strategies and The Time Factory for recently becoming sponsors of Pedal for Peace!  We have five more teams registered for our October 2nd Pedal for Peace ride!


For those bike enthusiasts out there, remember the Mayor's Action Ride is happening this weekend, June 5th!  It's free and a great way to celebrate biking in our city.  See http://www.sustainindy.org/bikeride.cfm to register.
Add Comment
 
THE INAUG. BLOG! 05/09/2010
 
Things are ramping up as the date for the 2010 Pedal for Peace draws closer! Teams are being formed and plans are being made for the tent fixin’s. Should be warmer this year than last( two weeks sooner). The weather is usually fantastic here the first weekend in October! Greg Mortenson’s dinner/talk will highlight the festivities the week before. Go shout out to your friends, family, and coworkers and get your team train rollin’!

3 Comments