Australian missionary walks 1000kms to support Dalit children

An Australian missionary, who has seen first-hand the lives of Dalit children in India, is determined to make a difference by raising awareness and support by walking over thousand kilometers.

Beverley Hughes is hoping to walk from Sydney to Melbourne (approximately 1173km) in a total 43 days during when she would not only raise awareness of the plight of Dalit children in India, but will also gather funds for their food and education.

"I spent a few years living in India as a Christian missionary, and so have seen first-hand, the ravaging effects of poverty. I am motivated by seeing what can be done here in our own country and how our efforts have the potential to effect the lives of so many other people," said Hughes.

Dalits, sometimes referred to as 'Untouchables', number around 250 million and are victims of centuries-long discrimination and exploitation. Most Dalits cannot afford food, clothing, shelter or even an education for their children.

"I'm desperate to see the lives of the Dalit children changed, and want to be a voice for them. These Dalit kids will never have a chance to be in a position that we here in Australia are in today," Hughes expressed.

Hughes says 100% of the money raised will be donated to children of Dalit families through a children's outreach programme run by Gospel for Asia.

The Melbournian missionary was inspired to do more to help raise awareness after volunteering in a few endurance walking events organised by 'Go The Extra Mile', a Australia-based group of Christian believers.

Hughes will be accompanied by Juni Howel and few other members of 'Walk for the Kids' project. "Everyone is welcome to join in the challenge. We assure you that your life will be changed forever once stepping out and doing something 'out of the box' and helping someone else on the other side of the world less fortunate than yourself," she writes on her website.

On November 13, the duo will arrive back in Melbourne finishing up with an all night walking event called the 'Moonwalk'.

Go the Extra Mile's Moonwalk is an all night 45km endurance walking event, aimed at raising funds for Gospel for Asia's Bridge of Hope centres where currently more than 58,000 of Dalit children receive food, clothing, health and education. The event's goal is to see that number grow to 500,000.

Last two years, the group raised $308,000 with similar events, and nothing being taken out for administration or fundraising.

"We walk to change the appalling situation that traps the Dalit children of India in a lifetime of extreme poverty. Through the work of the Bridge of Hope centres, the poverty cycle is being broken - the gospel of Jesus is being preached, dignity is being restored and lives are being transformed," the group says on its website.