Minds Lifting Minds

On Oct 16th, 2022, I will run a full marathon (42 Kms / 26.2 Miles) in Detroit, MI.

I am raising money to help organize primary feminine education for girls in India.

Please consider donating what you can. I will keep you posted on my race results.

** Longer background and how we will use the funds**

My name is Deval...

Some of you know me as a runner; others know me as a mother.

If you are a woman, you realize how difficult it is to live everyday life in "those days" of periods. Let alone run...

I grew up very middle class in a small town in India in the western state of Gujarat. Growing up, it was hard for us to talk about sanitary hygiene in the family, let alone at school. The issue of periods for girls is something you learn by experiencing it! Not having access to essential sanitary products means using rags that cause infections!

Last spring, I was in India and had a chance to visit "Manthan" in India. Manthan is a school for special needs girls. Their spirits were terrific, and the "victory" picture we took together has been an inspiration.

My mentor and friend, Megha Joshi, lives in Gujarat. She is a journalist, psychologist and active social worker. She works with several agencies within Gujarat that provide education to special needs kids and break taboos through her writing.

Megha and I would love to raise $550 for us to -

1) buy some sanitary products for girls in need

2) most importantly, use the opportunity to raise awareness through programs

Back to my running. I started running in my 30s and have a lot to progress. There have been races during "those times" and runs that I couldn't refuse when I was cramping. While I have found my own balance, I cannot stop thinking about millions of girls growing up who will feel uncomfortable using rags and pay their dues to unawareness around this topic.

While Megha and I cannot change the outcome for millions, we would love to do our parts where our outreach is. We will keep you posted on how we use your donations in the next several months.

*Sources for statistics - National Family Health Survey 2015-2016 estimates