[The Thaakat Insider] Help Thaakat Put a Fork in Famine

Check out these websites:

Plumpynut in East Africa Project

Thaakat is teaming up to fight With just 11 days to go, its the last stride in raising the funds. Were more than 50% towards our goal - $6,000 remain to raise! Watch: Plumpynut helping in disaster areas Donate: Join the Peanut Gallery and Heckle Hunger

against famine. The goal is to gather $11,000 by getting 11 people to donate $11 dollars each by November 11, 2011. The funds will go towards Plumpynut (a peanut-based

paste, manufactured by Edesia, with essential vitamins) in providing children with the proper nutrition they need.

Featured in this issue:

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Uzma Bawany with Thaakat Foundation: Broadcast on Charities Americana!

(Originally published by Thaakat Foundation on 10/16/11 )
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local and global projects! I cannot stress how simple it is to really get involved. Its an attitude. Uzma says of Thaakats aim towards promoting charitable giving and volunteer work among students and young professionals through different global projects and local volunteer activities. Charities Americana Program on WCAR 1090 AM hopes to give its audience the sto-

ries of human experience as seen by its guests. It is broadcast every Saturday morning from 9:00am to 10am EST. Listen to the Podcast: Thaakat Foundation Podcast 10/15

Uzma Bawany, Executive Di2

rector of Thaakat Foundation, was featured on Charities Americana, a charities dedi-

cated radio broadcast that features different non-profit or-

ganizations and speakers. Our very own Uzma was featured on the program as a guest speaker! Listen to the inspiring and compelling story of Thaakat Foundations beginnings and how it has evolved over the years through its various

Help Thaakat Put a Fork in Famine

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5 Common Myths about Global Hunger

(Originally published by World Food Programme. See the full article here)

Myth # 1: There isnt enough food to feed the world. Fact: There is enough food in the world today for everyone to have the nourishment necessary for a healthy and productive life. There is, however, a need to be more efficient, sustainable, and fair in how we grow and distribute food. This means supporting smallscale farmers who make up the majority of farmers throughout the developing world and ensuring that they have fair access to markets. Myth # 2: People are only hungry during emergencies or disasters. Fact: Emergencies only account for eight percent of the worlds hungry. There are close to one billion hungry people in

One in seven people in the world are hungry ... That affects all of us

the world who do not make the headlines and yet they go to bed hungry every night. This is why long-term efforts like school meals programmes are so important. Nature is only one factor when it comes to hunger. The proportion of food crises that are linked to human causes has more than doubled since 1992. Conflict is often at the heart of todays worst food crises. Myth # 3: All of the worlds hungry live in Africa. Fact: Of the worlds nearly one billion hungry, over half live in Asia and the Pacific (Hunger Stats). Hunger is also a relevant issue in the United States, where 50 million Americans are food insecure. Myth # 4: Too many people go hungry in my own country for me to worry about hunger abroad.

Fact: One in seven people in the world are hungry, which means one in seven people cant create, study, or reach their full potential as human beings. That affects all of us. Hunger slows progress on other important areas that connect nations, including security. Myth # 5: There are more pressing global issues than hunger. Fact: When populations are hungry, economies suffer, people fight, and farmers cant grow their crops effectively. We need to tackle hunger to be able to resolve environmental, economic, and security issues.

Thaakat Chapters - Around the Nation

Check out what's new with the Thaakat Chapters Thaakat Atlanta: Recently held Thaakat Delight to raise money for Plumpynut! Thaakat UIC : Upcoming Event - Marrow Registration Drive for Amit Gupta on 11/1 Thaakat Loyola : Upcoming Event - Hoops for Hunger on 11/19 Thaakat Houston : Upcoming Event - Looking for the Match on 11/1 Illini Thaakat : Recently held a bake sale to raise money for Plumpynut! Thaakat Florida : Upcoming Event- Slammin to end Famine on 11/12 Thaakat Rutgers New Brunswick : Recently held their Be the Change Day 2011! Thaakat Rutgers Newark : Upcoming Event Halloween Bake Sale on 10/31 Thaakat Baruch : Recently held their first Bake Sale! Thaakat Bradley : Upcoming EventBuy a Date to Educate

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How Cheeky Are You? Amit Gupta Needs YOU!

(Originally published by Thaakat Foundation: East Coast Chapter on 10/28/11. See the full article here.)

Youre not sure of anything. Youre being told that if you hadnt come to see your doctor, you would have been dead within a matter of weeks. Dead. Like actual, permanent, real, scary death. Acute Leukemia. You dont even know what that means exactly yet youve got it. And if something doesnt happen, if something good doesnt happen for you real soon, it might all end. Just like that. All of this is probably more than we can fathom or empathize with because its not a situation that is common for people, especially young people. Unfortunately, not all of us are so lucky, and Amit Gupta is one example. He is 32 years old, the above is his story of how he received some of the worst possible news a young man can receive, and is in dire need of all of our help. Amit needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. And in order for him to get this transplant, he first needs to find a match someone who can provide for him from their own healthy bodies what he must receive in order

to stay alive. This is, in fact, a life or death situation. The trouble remains that most of us dont think we have what it takes to help others. But if you do want to help, if you are a brave, kind soul who is willing to risk a few days of soreness or pain to save another human beings life then come to one of Thaakats bone marrow drives, and swab to save a life. They are being held at the Busch Campus Center at Rutgers New Brunswick from 12 5 PM November 1 and 2. Show some Thaakat, show us what youre capable of, and most importantly, show yourself what kind of person you are.

In need of a few volunteers to help in NYC and elsewhere. Can you help?

If you would like to help in any way, would like to register or would like to hold your own drive, Please visit Amit Gupta Needs You!

Imagine, if you could, feeling a little stranger than usual for a few days. The Im so0o0o0o tired!!! sensation is a bit more powerful than youre used to. And even though youve been wanting to shed those few extra pounds, youve ended up losing more than you think is healthy without even trying. So you decide to go see your doctor. Stress yeah, thats probably it. Or maybe youve finally fallen victim to that seasonal thing theres been something going around that everyone seems to have caught. One way or the other you think, no you KNOW its nothing serious. Just like that you dont know anything anymore.

Benedictine Rotary Partners with Thaakat to Fight Famine

(Originally published by Thaakat Foundation on 10/30/11. See the full article here.) Service Above Self, this is the mission of Rotaract, a local branch of Rotary International led by 18 to 30 year old individuals. Three years ago, Rotaract was implemented at Benedictine University. It was the first official service club on campus. We started with a group of 5-8 individuals, and today, the organization has over 45 active members. Rotaract provides service locally, nationally and also internationally. Unique to Rotaract is its reflection. At the end of every meeting, members have the opportunity to share a volunteer experience, ask to raise money for a specific cause and/or share an inspiring story or quote. Last year, Rotaract hosted a fundraiser to raise money for a members friend. She was a medical student diagnosed with cancer. Although she had overcome the cancer, she needed a prosthetic leg. It was a warm and humbling experience to skype with the patient and hear her share both her story and her gratitude with the members of our club. As Rotaract Rangers, trying to save the world, we inspire others to do service. I strongly believe together we can create a ripple effect. It takes one person to do service and share that passion with another. If that person also shares it with another and another, we will soon find that passion of service will be carried from one ripple to the next impacting the entire world. Rotaract and Thaakat Coming Together Recently, the ripple of Thaakat joined together with Rotaracts ripple these past few months. The members of Thaakat and Rotaract were each planning to host a charity basketball tournament. Together, we decided to collaborate and make a stronger impact. Both organizations felt the crisis in the Horn of Africa was devastating! Did you know we waste 30 billion pounds of unconsumed food each year? Did you know the average person waste a pound of food each day? I found it tragic how one side of the world has TOO much food and another is facing STARVATION. It is our responsibility to humanity to do what we can to ease the pain and suffering of others. Why Should YOU Get Involved in Service? Service is the best way to give your life a strong sense of purpose. We underestimate the power of a hug, a smile, and taking the time to be there for individuals. The more you look out for others, the more God will look out for you. Most of your fondest memories will come from the gratitude and appreciation of those you take the time to help. The closest friendships and relationships will blossom from doing service together. Most importantly, the greatest deeds in the eyes of God are those done for others. Life is short. We have to make the most of the time that we have been given, so let us use this time to do something different, and reach out to touch a few hearts. Through service, we can strive to be remembered in the smiles and the laugh of the individuals we come across. As someone once said, dont write your name on sand, waves will wash it away. Dont write your name in the sky, wind may blow it away. Write your name in the hearts of people you come in touch with. Thats where it will stay. Sincerely, Eraj Din, Founder of Rotaract

Diwali & Volunteering - The Thaakat Way

The TCNJ Thaakat team visited a rehab center near the university which is home to dozens of South Asian residents to celebrate the Diwali Season. They shared that there was no better way to celebrate the holiday than to bring smiles to those who often dont have the company and cheer on an every day basis. From sitar players to songs and dances by the team and volunteers- the day was filled with activities. Seniors had shared that they couldn't wait for them to return again- they were so anxious. Happy Diwali to All Our Friends!