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Azusa Pacific Students Biking for Rwanda Project

Posted October 6, 2008

  • Four Azusa Pacific University students are spending their summer biking for bikes?  Rwandan coffee bikes to be exact.

    Sophomore economics major Leighton Cusack of Grand Rapids, Mich.; sophomore business administration major C.J. Eckman of San Ramon, Calif.; sophomore graphic design major Greg Christian of Yorba Linda, Calif.; and junior graphic design major Jason Burkholder of La Crescenta, Calif.; along with two other Grand Rapids residents, will bike 3,700 miles across the United States in support of Project Rwanda.<\

    The Ride for Rwanda begins in Anacortes, Wash., on June 16, and is expected to finish in New York, N.Y., on Aug. 3. Their goal is to raise $40,000 for Project Rwanda.

    "The idea of riding across America was suggested last fall, but at that point it was only a dream we hoped would be accomplished before graduation," said Cusack, co-founder of The Ride for Rwanda. “When Project Rwanda was brought to our attention, I was inspired by the realization that I can affect change; and the plan to cross America by bicycle to raise money became a reality."

    Project Rwanda is an organization dedicated to providing “coffee bikes” to Rwandan coffee farmers. Bikes are the main mode of transportation in Rwanda, but are often too expensive for many in the country to afford. By providing farmers with durable bikes designed for transporting heavy loads, Project Rwanda hopes to further Rwanda’s economic development.

    Community members and companies have shown support by offering housing accommodations or sponsorships to help cover the costs of living during the trek and ensure that all money raised goes directly to Project Rwanda. Sponsors include The North Face, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and Ritchey Bikes.

    In addition to the six riders, they will be followed across the country by two APU student filmmakers, junior Cinema and Broadcast Arts majors Kyle Neal and Steven Drury. They intend to capture the students’ story and build awareness for Project Rwanda.

    "In an age where it has become trendy to sport nonprofit organizations on T-shirts and wristbands, what does it mean to really mean to help make a difference?” asked Neal. “We will be following six college students as they take on the daunting physical task of bicycling across America. We hope to reignite a passion to not only end atrocities, but help rebuild in the wake of atrocities."

    To learn more about the ride and the route, visit The Ride for Rwanda website at www.therideforrwanda.org.