The Sustainable Living Foundation (Los Altos, California) is a nonprofit that works for positive social change in the youth of Zimbabwe, Africa and Paraguay, South American by promoting service and compassion, health living, self-sustainability and education.

The Zimbabwe efforts are centered on helping orphans, many who have been orphaned by the effects of HIV/AIDS.

In 2007, $30,000 was raised as a result of their Zimbabwe Run and sent to orphans at the Makumi Children’s Home. The 2007 run supports 85 children for a year at the orphanage.

The annual Zimbabwe Run this year will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2008 in Mountain View, California. Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, high school youth and post high school runners are invited to participate in the charitable run.

Donated funds in Zimbabwe are also using for HIV testing of pregnant women.

In Paraguay, the Sustainable Living Foundation supports the Urban Garden Network in the city of Pilar. Will Clark, a member of the Sustainable Living Foundation, helped established this project while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay.

The project includes a demonstration plot, 8 wells, 20 family gardens and five students on work scholarships. Goals of the Garden project include increasing food security, achieving a higher level of self-sufficiency, developing a shared sense of community, and promoting experimentation and development of gardening techniques.

The 5 scholarship youth use funds ($275/month split among 5 students) from their gardening to pay for the costs of college schooling and living. The students maintain their gardens, help feed themselves and their family, sell excess produce to pay for living expenses, and assist other families with their gardens.

Donation and other information can be found on their website.