Solar Africa
20 schools - 40 solar panels - 4000 children
Rick de Gaay Fortman took unpaid leave from Shell and is currently doing a bike tour through Africa. With the help of sponsors, he hopes to raise 50,000 euros. This money will be used to provide solar panels for schools in Zambia.
Riding through the Great Lakes Regio
It has been way too long. The end is near, the finish line is looming in the distance. From the banks of Lake Victoria, I'm sitting in a rooftop bar updating my one but last blog.
The last three weeks have been eventful and memorable. My father completed his epic 1250 km journey through Africa on a bicycle, and returned to the Netherlands after two days in Kigali. In his absence I organized a fundraising cycling event in Kigali, raising 2500 euros for the solarisation of a clinic in Rwanda. My friend Bon Tjeenk Willink joined me for the Kigali - Kampala stretch. Cycling over the mountains in southern Uganda and then across the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria was incredible. The last few days I have been making my way to Kenya, stopping in Jinja for a thrilling rafting adventure at the source of the Nile. Click here to read the latest and view pictures (loads of pictures on Facebook too)! Note that I have written two blogs!
Yesterday I celebrated my 32nd birthday on the bicycle. I started my birthday in Uganda, and ended my birthday 125 km down the road in a Kenyan club in Kisumu. It was unforgettable. Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes.
In one week from now my epic Cape Town to Nairobi journey will come to an end. I have another 400 km to cycle, but that seems little in comparison to what I have left behind.
I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I cycle into Nairobi on 18 December, and return to the Netherlands on 22 December (arriving at Schiphol on 23 December in the morning), just in time for Christmas. Slowly my sights are shifting to my next adventure, my MBA with INSEAD, starting in Singapore in January 2011
Fundraising has gone well. I have raised almost 45,000 euros, but some businesses and foundations are yet to commit their final sponsorship funds for Solar Africa, so this
number will go up. If you are still considering sponsoring Solar Africa, your contribution
would be much appreciated. All the funds go directly to Solar Aid. I have visited their
programs on my journey, and their work is really worthwhile.
Maslow's Pyramid
I am currently in Kigali. Since my last blog update, my journey through Africa has been rather hectic, and taken an unexpected turn due to security issues in Western Tanzania. My original route, carefully mapped out on Google Earth, turned out to be dangerous and off-road, forcing me take a large detour through Dodoma using overland transport to get to Rwanda.
From the warm heart of Africa I plunged into the dark heart of Africa, and then into Rwanda, a country that is only just recovering from the horrific genocide in 1994. Click here to read the latest and view pictures!
As a result, I will spend more time exploring Rwanda, and expect to be here for at least two weeks, until my friend Michiel joins me for the ride from Kigali to Kampala.
Rick is a supported Santos rider
1 in 4 people on this planet, including 550 million Africans living in rural areas, do not have access to electricity. The lack of access to electricity inhibits their economic development. Electricity can power their mobile phones, light their homes, and pump up water for irrigation. Renewable energy provides an affordable and eco-friendly way to improve their lives.
Photo: Patrick Post
Join Rick on his 7,000 km journey from Cape Town to Nairobi to raise awareness for renewable energy in Africa, and support him to raise 50,000 Euros to change the lives of more than 4000 schoolchildren in Zambia.
Follow Rick on his journey http://solarafrica2010.org
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