Turning the Corner

I am now in the phase of marathon training that some people call “tapering” – my training regimen is slowly being reduced after reaching a crescendo about one week ago. This is a good thing, since I am in the midst of the most intense, fun and time-consuming period of the fall fundraising push. I just spent some very productive time in southern California with my colleagues Julia Wilson and Manon Cypher, and am now off to India and then New York City for our 10th anniversary celebration. This Friday is our Sing for Hope benefit concert, which promises to be a really exciting event. Talented opera and other emerging artists will perform to benefit Grameen Foundation’s Scholarship Program. We’re all anticipating a moving moment when Monica Yunus takes the stage. She’s a talented singer at the Met and will be performing to her dad, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. He is a 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate, a Grameen Foundation board member and the evening’s special guest. Earlier in the day, we’re honoring Amhara Credit and Savings of Ethiopia and Grameen Koota of India at our annual awards luncheon. They are both partners of Grameen Foundation and microfinance institutions who have been pioneers in the industry. At the lunch, we’ll also honor tireless microfinance leader Sam Daley-Harris with the first-ever Susan Davis Lifetime Achievement Award. With all these events going on, I would not have much time to train at full tilt, but still I am beginning to get antsy. Those long runs are somehow addictive.

I have been touched by the pledges that have been received from friend and stranger alike, for this marathon run. Giving to Grameen Foundation means that these precious resources will be used to fight poverty in a very direct way, and help us reach our $18 million goal this year. I’ll be thinking of each and every person who pledged something as I pound through the 26.2 miles on October 21, imagining a circle of friends who are committed to the end of poverty and took an interest in this personal journey. There will be a lot of time to think – more than four hours based on my expected finish time.