MANY of us make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, but Cardiff South’s Lynda Miller’s weight loss story isn’t your traditional body-battle saga.
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In January 2012 the 38 year old started a sponsorship program called Cash for Kilos.
She had 50kilograms to lose and for every kilogram lost, pledged to donate a chosen amount. Every cent is given to Australians Caring for Children Inc (ACC), a cause close to Mrs Miller’s heart.
In 2000 she travelled to Bolivia, South America, to volunteer in an orphanage in the region of La Paz.
‘‘It’s one of those things that changed my life,’’ she said. ‘‘Most days I cried.’’
The biggest motivator to raise funds for ACC came not long after her return home, when the son of a friend from Bolivia came to Australia to visit, bringing with him some devastating news.
‘‘I had worked with a little baby every day who’d been quite premature and abandoned at the orphanage,’’ Mrs Miller explained. ‘‘He told me the baby died.’’
Unable to grapple with the lack of facilities available to the orphanage, Mrs Miller began fund-raising.
She has now raised about $1000 through Cash for Kilos, enough to support 840 children for a week.
In addition to her weight-loss sponsorship Cash for Kilos, Mrs Miller organises annual shopping trips to Sydney fashion outlets, liquor-tasting nights and chocolate high teas.
Living expenses, immunisations, medical appointments and child psychiatrists are paid for by the money Mrs Miller and ACC raise. Money is distributed to eight different orphanages across Bolivia, Columbia and India according to merit and need. As corruption can be a threat in these areas, it is vital that donations are passed through as few hands as possible.
The health and living conditions of children in orphanages were shocking, Mrs Miller said.
When she was volunteering, the orphanage could not afford to buy formula for the babies.
‘‘They had to put vegetable oil in the bottles so the kids got enough daily calories,’’ she said.
‘‘They were only picked up to have their nappies changed. I really do believe babies can die of broken hearts,’’ she said.
Soon to have two masters degrees in indigenous and special education, Mrs Miller teaches at an indigenous preschool, and has plans to take her qualifications to La Paz next year.
Mrs Miller is determined to continue raising awareness and funds for ACC.
To sponsor Lynda and support ACC, go to ivenow. com.au/acccashforkilos
