www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 16, 2006 - 3 Miles for Smiles journey is just beginning By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF While Nizam Ally's feet were sore on only the second day of his 1,600mile Miles For Smiles, he quickly points out that walking in the shoes of the impoverished children for whom he's raising funds would be infinitely more difficult. The 51-year old founder of the Walk 5-5-55 (his birth date) Charitable Foundation said Monday as he passed through Oakville on his way to New York (and back again then on to Ottawa) that he can't imagine any of his own three children eating a rat to survive or enduring any number of other indignities all too common around the world. As a result, he walks to draw attention to, and money for, the most precious and vulnerable among us. "No matter what their race or their colour is, children shouldn't be suffering," said Ally, who embarked on his trek Sunday from Toronto. "I am determined to walk thousands of miles to share the vision of empowering the children of the world. We see this event as growing in future years and becoming one that is anticipated by our community." The Walk 5-5-55 Charitable Foundation established Miles for Smiles in response to the plight of the poverty-stricken children in North America and developing countries. Money raised will help fund the needed rehabilitation efforts initiated by Save the Children Canada and Save the Children USA improving lives of a LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ONE STEP AT A TIME: Nizam Ally, founder of Walk 5-5-55, walked through Oakville and Burlington on Monday as part of his 1.600-mile Miles For Smiles journey from Toronto to New York and back to Ottawa to raise funds and awareness for impoverished children of the world. new generation of children. rations and governments would do Scarborough's Ally said his "No matter what their race more but in the meantime he says determination was born out of an or their colour is, children average citizens have to step up and impoverished childhood in Guyana, shouldn't be suffering." do their part, even if the problem South America and reinforced by seems too vast for one person to the knowledge of how many chil- Miles for Smiles walker make a dent. "By coming together, though, dren continue to suffer and die on a Nizam Ally we can make a difference," said Ally. daily basis. He even admits to being As an example, he uses himself moved to tears by the images of children in need that are broadcast and buy his own restaurant. Today, not because he has a swelled head, he now has the time, the means and but to illustrate how his efforts poson television. After coming to Canada in 1973, the willpower to offer what he can sess the potential to snowball into where he worked at dishwashing to help and encourages everyone something bigger, more powerful. In 2005, he walked to New York and in factories, Ally finally saved else to do the same. After all, Ally wishes large corpo- City and back to Toronto twice and, enough money to realize his dream like his current effort, media exposure was key. After all, if only one million of the 50 million people who live between the two cities heard his story and gave just $5, Ally would have hit his $5 million goal. Unfortunately, after Hurricane Katrina hit, "coverage went dead for me" and Ally's walks raised only $15,000. Far from disappointed, he said the publicity generated awareness and possibly donations to worthwhile charities other than his own. "More people have to come together, and not just governments and rich people," said Ally, who smiles when he explains how even a kind word or a bottle of water given to him on the roadside are forms of support. Ally firmly believes that most people care but that they just need to break out of their shell of complacency or lack of awareness about the problems facing millions of children. "The feedback I'm getting is so positive, I think they will," he says, adding that he refuses to set a bad example by giving up, even when it's sometimes agony to keep walking. "Perseverance pays off." Ally will need that in spades, since he won't make it to New York City until the end of September. Then it's the long journey home to Toronto then on to Ottawa by midNovember. To learn how to support Miles for Smiles and obtain further information on the Walk 5-5-55 Charitable Foundation, visit www.walk5-5-55.com. Oakville mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus West Nile virus (WNV) has now been detected in all four of Halton's municipalities, the Regional Health Department confirmed Tuesday. Nine batches of mosquitoes trapped last week have tested positive for the virus and of these, six were from Oakville, two were from Georgetown, and one was from Milton. The results represent the first WNV positive mosquitoes found in both Oakville and Halton Hills. These recent test results, in addition to previous findings of positive birds in Burlington and Oakville - plus an additional positive batch of mosquitoes in Milton - show that WNV has now been detected throughout Halton. "The virus is going to continue to build in the mosquito population until the end of the season," said Dr. Bob Nosal, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. "Therefore, the likelihood of mosquitoes passing on the virus to humans is increasing." This year to date, however, no human cases of WNV have been found in Halton. The risk of serious illness from WNV increases with increasing age. The Halton Region Health Department is advising Halton residents, especially older adults and the elderly, to protect themselves against mosquito bites to reduce the risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus. From now until late September is the highest risk period for West Nile virus infection. To protect yourself from WNV: · Cover up. Wear light-coloured, longsleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric. · Avoid being outdoors in the early evening to morning. This is when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas. · Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. In 2003, a local study found that 80 per cent of people who had become infected with the virus had no symptoms. However, roughly 20 per cent of people infected developed fever, headache, muscle aches, and rash. And, one per cent of those infected became seriously ill with a neurological syndrome, which can include encephalitis (swelling of the brain), paralysis and difficulty with speech. The infection can be fatal in rare situations. If you have symptoms of WNV, consult your physician. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. To reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home: · Drain any areas of standing water. · Change the water in birdbaths and empty rain barrels weekly. · Remove old tires and turn over pails, toys, and wheelbarrows. · Keep eavestroughs clear. Information about WNV, as well as a map showing locations of WNV activity found in Halton, is available on Halton's website at www.halton.ca/wnv. To report a dead bird or standing water, please call Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905-827-9833. INTRODUCING FORD FAMILY PRICING. NOW BEING PART OF OUR FAMILY MEANS YOU GET THE BEST PRICES OF THE YEAR. PERIOD. ON 2007 AND REMAINING 2006's. See dealer for details. 905.845.1646 www.kennedyford.ca SOUTH SERVICE ROAD WEST