#IRaceBecause – girls and women deserve education

A couple of weeks ago I volunteered for an organization in Bangkok, Thailand that for the last 19 years have focused on empowering underprivileged women thru education. So far, they have improved the life of 26K girls and women. However, more than half of the population in Thailand is female. Out of this, 14 million live under the poverty line and are at risk of falling into exploitation, unsafe and unstable jobs, unwanted pregnancy and beyond.

These are teenage girls that have to quit school starting at age 13 to become the backbone of their family. Culturally and socially, it is expected for them to rise to this role.

Pratthanadee Foundation offers both girls and women a safe space to improve their quality of life with both preventative and customized programs. Thru Better Me they provide life skills development, know and claim your rights as a woman in Thailand, Thai and English lessons, Planning the future, Career advice, self-defense, financial planning and beyond.

Empowering a woman in Thailand is beyond the individual. It is about a family, a community and most importantly, a country.

So as part of a personal cause, I am launching: #IRaceBecause, I will be racing for what I believe must be discussed and given attention.
On February 10th, I will be running my 1st marathon in efforts to build awareness and raise money for Pratthanadee Foundation. I am committed to helping them achieve their 2019 goal of $125k.
With your help and support, I will be raising USD 26,200, a $1k per mile (approx.).
I will be sharing images and videos of my training around the world.


More info about the foundation --
https://pratthanadee.org/donatenow/

Suggestions, however, any amount is more highly appreciated.
$55
can support five women on a three hour interactive Better Me workshop, covering topics such as financial management, self-defense, reporting assault, and SMART life-planning.

$100
can support training for 10 rural girls on protecting themselves from harm and planning for a successful future.

$400
can support one woman through the entire 9 months Better Me program. That’s 30 hours of training, 25 English lessons, 12 personal mentoring sessions, and a fully life-changing experience.

*The Foundation is a registered 501 c(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, allowing for tax efficient giving for our US donors.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.
With love,
Bea

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About #IRaceBecause--

I recently launched #IRaceBecause. A cause that aims to build a community where we can have an open dialogue about race, its meanings, why it matters, our experiences and what are we willing to do to reshape our predisposed thoughts to race towards a new & safe space where we can co-exist harmoniously. We need to get uncomfortable to get comfortable. We need to talk to learn from each other. We must share to inspire change thru action.

Race has an infinite world of definitions. From a quest to achieve an objective to a set or group human beings can be divided into based on shared distinctive physical traits or common features. Race is a complicated concept. We all have our quest and a race that defines us - be it a goal or a physical trait. And we each experience it in different shapes and forms.

I race because:
1) Women all around the world experience inequality due to existing cultural and societal systems that limit our place in the world.
2) As a Latina and as a woman, I have experienced a world of assumptions and judgments about my character and my role in society by both men and women
3) I have a voice I can use to represent those who don’t know they have one or don’t know how to use it
4) I matter & you matter
5) It is my calling to share my experiences and my stories to help others navigate their reality

This is my cause. On a yearly basis, I will raise awareness about 4 small and medium NGOs around the world that are racing and raising to protect, empower and take action towards gender equality and racial equity.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iracebecause/