Why blind children? When I was about 6 or 7, an eye disease nearly caused me to lose my eyesight. I remember that every morning I had to first go to hospital for treatment, I missed almost all of my first period classes at school for over a year.

In my travels to 45 countries, mostly in Africa and other third world countries, I have witnessed unimaginable social injustice, extreme poverty, desperation... To millions of people, life seems to be entangled in a web of endless sufferings.

The other day, I found a note in a fortune cookie that said "we can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone". Yes, I want to help! I'm in a position and able to help. Coincidentally that same day, I read an incredible article on New York Times that inspired me to run a marathon.

I've never run a marathon in my life, actually I've never even liked running. Now I'm going to challenge myself. In the meantime, I ask you and challenge you to help me so that we together can reach my fundraising goal to help the blind children.

I set my goal of $1,000 because I had successfully raised over $700 for the UNICEF when I ran the 10km Great Ethiopian Run in 2005. If the estimation is based on $ per km/mile, I'm optimistically hoping I will meet this goal.