Derry cyclists take part in gruelling 110 mile charity cycle across Rwanda
Keen cyclists and Tearfund supporters Chris McElwee and Paul Linkens have just returned from cycling across the Land of a Thousand Hills.
The men, both from Derry, knew they would face an awesome physical challenge during the cycle: the group of 15 cyclists - 11 from Northern Ireland and the rest from England and Wales - cycled over 110 miles in high temperatures, with an elevation reaching over 6,000 feet in the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’.
But the pair were determined to take on the challenge: “I put lots of miles in to train for it, but when the cycling began I knew that I could have done more...it was tough!” Mr McElwee commented.
Mr Linkens added: “I was quite worried about the higher temperatures and the long climbs. Cycling in Derry/Donegal is generally cold and wet, with short steep hills: very different to Rwanda! I wasn't able to keep up with the peloton’s leaders - I'm no spring chicken - but I kept going at my own pace.
The group of cyclists, mainly from Northern Ireland, set out on the cycle with the aim of raising £50,000 to help people in Rwanda move from a cycle of despair to a cycle of hope. The group has already reached almost 80% of their target.
Mr McEelwee was particularly moved by the chance to meet some of the people the Cycle would help.
“When meeting the beneficiaries, it was good to see how they had began to overcome their situations and were helping one another. To see firsthand how Tearfund was helping them was both humbling and an honour to be part of.”
The group met one woman who left a particular impact on Mr Linkens.
“I met a woman whose family sleeps on banana leaves: with a real sense optimism one woman told me that if I came back next year she would have mattresses for her three children. The determination to keep going, even through personal disappointment and with very meagre resources, was palpable. Community self-help groups set up by Tearfund provide support and small loans to enable families to make changes in what they grow and sell. In turn they can buy land, build a home, and get medical insurance.”
Tearfund works in areas of greatest need in 48 countries. It is the only agency with an active presence on the ground - working together with government, local partners and other agencies to help survivors recover from trauma, rebuild secure livelihoods and ensure access to safe water and sanitation. Its work in Rwanda involves a strong focus on self-help groups, empowering people to save their money and build resilience which benefits entire families and communities.
As part of the cyclists' orientation, they visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the burial site of 250,000 people who lost their lives during the tribal conflict in 1994 which killed more than one million people - equivalent to just over half of NI’s population.
Mr McElwee was reminded of home during the visit.
“It was overwhelming when in the memorial: especially the kids room, which made me think of my own children back home."
Mr Linkens, minister of Ebrington Presbyterian in the City, described how difficult it was to understand.
“The genocide in Rwanda is hard to grasp, how neighbour cut-down neighbour. Behind the hatred was a deliberate and co-ordinated narrative that would deliberately put people against each other. Those in power appeared to have stirred up the division in an attempt to hold onto their position. Power can be a toxic thing. But if Rwanda has come back from the brink, then there is hope.”
The Mayor of Derry, Hilary McClintock, is gearing up to host a Tearfund event at the Guildhall later this month: an evening of conversation with the McAllisters, a family from Northern Ireland now working to bring hope to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, interviewed by journalist Jude Hill.
The evening will also feature music from the New Irish Choir and Orchestra and will take place at 8PM on March 24th. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from tearfund.org/ni.