Dr. Lipesa is part of a group of medical professionals who bring health services to people in remote areas of Kenya. In this short film, Dr. Lipesa and his colleagues are followed as they transform an unused rural health centre into a bustling hub of triage and treatment, creating a crucial link between underserved communities and the public health care system.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) invests in support and training for community members and a range of healthcare professionals who are champions for change. With the support of the Government of Canada and thousands of individual Canadians, their programs promote the empowerment of women and girls, and invest in health and nutrition, education, economic inclusion, agriculture and food security, early childhood development, and civil society across Africa and Asia.

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About the World Partnership Walk

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The World Partnership Walk is more than just an initiative that strives to end the cycle of poverty in developing countries; it is an initiative that deeply resonates with our founders: Shafin Kanji, Aleem Virani and Farhan Virani.  

Being born in a developing country meant witnessing poverty firsthand and individuals who did not have a way out of the systemic cycle. Shafin, Aleem and Farhan believe that giving back is one of the best ways to move forward.

The World Partnership Walk is an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), which is an international development organization and registered charity that donates 100% of the funds raised to international development initiatives. AKFC has been working to diminish poverty for over 35 years and has helped millions of individuals throughout Africa and Asia.

Last year, thousands of Canadians from coast to coast joined the World Partnership Walk Virtual Voyage to raise needed funds and learn about Aga Khan Foundation’s Canada work around the world. The foundation is thrilled to share that they have raised $5.7 million on their digital journey.

The history behind the walk

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“In 1985, a group of women in Vancouver came together to raise funds to support the work of AKFC. All had come from Africa or Asia and wanted to give back to the communities they left behind. They persuaded 1,000 other Canadians to join them in a walk to fight global poverty and raised $55,000. That first walk grew into an annual event, held in 10 cities across Canada with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers, corporate sponsors, and participants. Thirty-five years later, the World Partnership Walk has raised more than $125 million – making it the largest event in Canada in support of international development.” – World Partnership Walk

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Why is this important to us?

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Did you know over 736 million people live in extreme poverty and approximately 15,000 children die daily from preventable causes? (Source: Aga Khan Foundation Canada)

The international impact of the Walk is monumental, as donations help to set up systems to create self-sustaining economies, leading to a better quality of live for all impacted. When discussing one of the reasons why the World Partnership Walk is so important to our founders and KV Capital as an organization, Shafin Kanji, Chairman of the Board with KV Capital, shares “this isn’t about a handout, it’s about a hand up”.  

The funds raised are donated to create and implement social mechanisms such as: education (building schools), sanitation and water systems, hospitals, cultivating agriculture and food security, and creating economic opportunities for women and men.  

The goal of these social mechanisms is to help individuals and communities in developing countries flourish, by building a sturdy platform with resources to support their growth.  

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Why are we helping outside of our borders?

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Canada is a mosaic formed by immigrant families, many who have left their own country to create a better life for their existing family and future generations. To continue to grow as a country, we believe in extending our resources to those without access. By reducing poverty, crime is also reduced, which brings us closer to the goal of making the world a safer place.

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2020 impact

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Canada's World Partnership Walk demonstrates how Canadians can lead change. Year after year, their volunteers, fundraisers, donors, and sponsors have made a lasting impact both locally and globally. To date, the $125 million raised through the Walk has contributed directly to over 180 projects in 15 nations that have reduced poverty and improved the quality of life for millions in Africa and Asia.

The funds raised through the Walk has also enabled the AKFC to secure support from the Government of Canada and other partners. This has allowed the organization to reach more people, address Canadian priorities, leverage Canadian expertise, and share lessons and best practices for tackling global poverty. The Walk not only raises funds, but also raises awareness, builds knowledge, and inspires Canadians to take action to end global poverty.

Read the full impact report here.

Looking forward to 2022

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Our team at KV Capital is proud to have supported the World Partnership Walk for 14 consecutive years and is looking forward to supporting this exceptional organization for years to come.  

How can you get involved? Join (or start!) a workplace team, become a corporate sponsor or donor here.