Cyclists help African school

- photo supplied Cyclists head back to Olds down a country road on the second day of the first Alberta Cycling for Children.

By MARIAN CLOUTIER
Special to the WCR
Olds

With faith at its core, 25 individuals came together to help build God's kingdom here on earth. They participated in the first annual Cycling for Children fundraising bicycle tour in Alberta June 29-30.

Cyclists from Edmonton, Calgary, Olds, Red Deer, Drumheller, Canmore, Langley, B.C., and Dartmouth, N.S., took part in the two-day, 185-km trip that raised more than $22,000 for a school in Cameroon.

Starting out at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Olds, they biked to Sanctum Retreat, just west of Caroline, and then back again. It took two days to accomplish, but everyone arrived with smiles and hugs.

The end result was one large community - encouraging each other up the big hills, celebrating Mass together, sharing meals together, and praying in unison before and at the end of each day's ride.

The cycling tour will have a huge impact on the community in Kumbo, Cameroon. Over the past 12 years, St. Peter's College has grown from 45 students to more than 500 students. Money raised from this event will enhance the education these young people will receive.

To date, the Alberta team has raised over $22,000 and recruited 24 new child sponsors through Christian Child Care International, for a combined value of over $30,000.

This money will contribute to the overall cost of a new building, which will provide seven additional classrooms, a library and three science labs. The students will now have the means to put their theoretical learning into practice.

One cyclist said she had a pre-existing desire to join the tour. She had been hoping that there'd be a cycling tour with a cause, so when she read an article about Cycling for Children in the WCR, she knew she had found it.

Congratulations to our Alberta team for bringing faith and good works together in the service of students in Africa. Someday, these young people in Cameroon will be among the leaders of their country.

It's not too late to support this event. If you want to donate to Cycling for Children, please contact Marian Cloutier at 1-866-311-6874, or visit our website at www.ccare.ca.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter