The Aga Khan Foundation Canada took a giant swing at world poverty last week and raised a record $510,000 at its annual golf event at The Derrick.
“We have to thank co-chairs, former deputy prime minister and lawyer Anne McLellan and ATB president and CEO Dave Mowat, for taking the game to the upper echelons of our community,” says Salim Chatur, convener of the Ismaili annual World Partnership in Golf tournament.
“Our event has been held in seven cities across Canada since 2000, with net proceeds supporting health, education, rural development and strengthening civil society in poor and vulnerable communities in Africa and Central Asia.
“The world poverty rate fell 50 per cent between 1990 and 2010, bringing 663 million people out of poverty. But despite these advances, 1.5 billion people still live on less than $1.15 per day.”
Calgary lawyer, volunteer and philanthropist Brian Felesky told 175 golfers and guests that terrorism, oppression and poverty can only be defeated by education, and pluralism is the only way to fight racism.
Keynote speaker Felesky, a founding member of Awali (Swahili for “the beginning) with business gurus Jim Gray and Sherali Saju, initiated professional development for teachers in East Africa.
A donation of $25,000 from Awali helped swell this year’s funds.
CN Canada joined Orbis Engineering, represented by CEO Amin Kassam, as a signature sponsor this year and donated $25,000.
CN CEO Mike Cory added another $5,000 to the CN total and then chipped in $2,500 personally.
Ali and Anisha Sachedina made a cash donation of $50,000 and Shiraz Jiwani, president and owner of Sherwood Park-based AMAN Builders, chipped in $25,000.
“Some funding this year will go to improving the health of families in East Africa, Mozambique and Central Asia by investing in medical facilities and training for local health professionals,” said Chatur.
A safari package to East Africa, including flights, was sold for $40,000 to Ali Sachedina.
A seven-night stay at a luxury condo in Cabo San Lucas offered by Dave King sold for $2,800 and a customized suit donated by Sam Abouhassan was bought by Karim Walli of Smith and Wight Opticians for $3,400.
Ismailimail 