MOVE4MONA: Making Strides for Global Education

Thanks to the Leadership Team's vision and efforts, the first annual Move4Mona 5K Walk/Run Challenge, held on May 7, 2022, brought together people in 44 communities and three countries to support Mona's educational partners in India, Haiti, and Panama. Some 160 toddlers, children, youth, and adults got out and moved for Mona on May 7th, with an equal number donating to sponsor their walks. Together, they exceeded the goal -- raising $29,489 to educate 349 kids in India, OR 49 kids in Haiti or Panama!

Edmonds, WA event

Over 70 people braved stormy weather to come out to our main event in Edmonds, organized by the Move4Mona Leadership Team. Just as the walk began, the clouds parted and the sun came out. There was even a rainbow!  Read all about it in My Edmonds News.

Thank you to our local business sponsors: Edmonds Center for the Arts,  Cascadia Art Museum,  Aw Pottery, Yoga Sanctuary, Ombu Salon + Spa, and Hunni Water.

Toddler Walk in San Diego, CA

This Move4Mona event was organized as part of a Toddler Virtues Class that is held and organized bi-weekly by Nava, Blake and their son Solace Ghalili-Wuorenma in San Diego, with the love and support of incredible families nearby. This month's virtue was "Service", so the toddlers decided to do an act of service by learning about the Mona Foundation and helping to raise over $1,000 for the Move4Mona walk. At the end of their walk, the Cheyer family brought in a Train Conductor so the children could pretend to take the funds they raised to the Mona Schools aboard a train at their home. The children sang songs and thanked the conductor and all the families.

Rancho Palos Verdes: the joy of education

 A Reflection by Chloe Rastegar

Education has proven to be a catalyst for social change, a stimulant of economic growth, and an instrument through which gender equality may be realized. Simultaneously, education is also simply a source of happiness for so many; a key to discovering our passions, widening our perspectives and connecting with others. I saw this for myself at the Move4Mona walk I hosted on May 7th in Rancho Palos Verdes. Participants of all ages (7 -87 years old) and backgrounds came together to support Mona Foundation in its goal of increasing access to education and empowering women and girls. My guests ranged from a retired history professor, and undergraduate students studying psychology and sociology, to pharmacy and law school candidates, medical doctors, a virologist and our very own Diane Samandi, a member of Mona’s board of directors, and talented fashion designer.

Despite their diverse careers and disciplines studied, my guests shared in that education truly enriched their lives. With each step we took on our walk, participants bonded over their love for the sciences, arts, and humanities. Education shaped their interests and lives at large. As participants exchanged stories from school and work, their eyes sparkled like the Pacific Ocean before us. It was evident that education touched the lives of every guest present in one way or another, being a source of joy for all. Move4Mona was a special opportunity to bring that joy of education to the students Mona supports all around the world. I want to thank all of the enthusiastic participants who attended my Move4Mona event and all the generous donors who supported my campaign and Mona Foundation’s invaluable efforts.

More Move4Mona supporters from across the U.S.