Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, challenges you to help conquer global poverty by cycling kilometres for compassion across the rural countryside in Cambodia, in solidarity with marginalised communities.
Registrations are now open for the Caritas Cycle in Solidary fundraising event, to be held in February 2016.
As they journey, cyclists will be in solidarity with thousands of women and children who must cover many kilometres every day just to fetch water, obtain food, or attend school. As they embark on this journey, they know they are going the distance so that others don’t have to walk so far to survive.
Anyone over the age of 18 can take part, whether you’re a pro-cyclist or first time rider willing to challenge yourself. Participants just need to raise $10 for every kilometre they cycle.
Caritas Events Coordinator, Penelope Frew says challengers on this trip will witness grassroots community development in action and see how programs founded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching can transform communities and champion the inherent dignity of every member of our human family.
Over seven days, those taking part will traverse the 350km across Cambodia’s rural expanse, visiting and learning from Caritas-supported projects in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and explore the amazing scenery and history of Cambodia, including a visit to the temples of Angkor Wat.
Caritas has worked in Cambodia for decades.
The country is still recovering from the Khmer Rouge’s brief but destructive reign between 1975 and 1979, where between one and three million people were killed under the regime and the country’s economy and social structures were devastated.
Today, Caritas Australia is working on rebuilding livelihoods, improving infrastructure, and supporting young people and people with disabilities.
“We believe that anyone can take action for a more fair and just world,” Ms Frew said. “This is a fantastic opportunity to join the movement to empower marginalised communities to manage their own development and become self-sufficient,” said Ms Frew.
“They will also get the unique opportunity to participate in pre-trip formation covering Catholic Social Teaching values, deepen their knowledge of development and witness first-hand how the work of Caritas in vulnerable communities in Cambodia is changing lives.”
For many years, schools, parishes and workplaces across Australia have participated in fundraising initiatives, at times running, walking or cycling kilometres to raise vital funds for Caritas Australia.
Last year, nine participants from across Australia took part in the Caritas Kilimanjaro Challenge by reaching the exhilarating highs of Africa’s tallest mountain while raising over $70,000 for Caritas Australia and the communities they support in more than 30 countries.
“Participants will gain just as much as they are giving as they ride with likeminded individuals, learn from Cambodian communities and create lasting memories,” Ms Frew said.
The Inspired Adventures team will work with each individual to create a fundraising plan, help with physical preparedness and take care of all travel plans.
To register visit: http://inspiredadventures.com.au/caritasaustralia/cambodia2016/