(Below is the proposal letter which I'm busy sending out to potential sponsors. It will give you a better understanding of my desire/dream/wish to spend 9 months, on an uncomfortable bicycle seat, riding through "deepest darkest".)
Good day,
I am Paolo Magni (1980), a son of Africa . On November 23 I will be standing outside Morocco’s Casablanca airport, bicycle propped up against my trembling legs, gazing southwards to the horizon, heart pounding, and I imagine I’ll experience the lowest feelings of fear and loneliness to date. But once a few deep breaths have stilled the thumping in my heart and mind somewhat, the purpose of this trip, and why I’m standing 15000km’s away from family and friends, will finally kick into gear. My goal: to hug the Atlantic coast as I make my way back down to South Africa
Traveling the length of my continent has been a dream since my early teens. It took a cold, February morning in London
This trip is unique in the sense that I want to live through the very real philosophy of the Ubuntu spirit, and to share the incredible stories of generosity and kindness of the people of Africa – most of whom have very little. Essentially, Ubuntu speaks to the idea that “it takes a village to raise a child” and expands it to the truth that it takes all of us helping each other to make the world a better place. We, as human beings, must sustain each other even in the hours of our direst perils. What fascinates me is not so much the diversity of lifestyles and cultures, but to what beyond the customs unites us deeply? In the mad rush of our world in crisis, I want to take the time to listen to the beat of this great continent and question what we are: Africa, and its people, offers the opportunity to experience where our human-nature, without the material influences of the First and Western World, truly lies and where it originates from? Have village elders been able to instill their traditions and customs, and pass on the meaning of Ubuntu onto the generation of today, or has the power and influence of the West become too strong and now, even in the remotest parts of the of a Third World continent, I wonder, and will soon find out, to what extent the young generation’s ideas of the future, and their personal success changed?
Sithandi Zingane is a project/drop-in centre for HIV infected children. Its vision: to provide support for poverty stricken families, needy children, orphans and those who are affected/infected with HIV/AIDS. The centre, situated near Brakpan, also has an orphan aftercare programme where around 70 children are picked up by bus daily. They are driven to the centre, receive a hot meal and then spend the rest of their day doing homework, playing and assisting in the vegetable garden. They also have a skills programme where HIV infected/affected mothers are trained in gardening and sewing. The centre also distributes food parcels every month to child-headed families and to people who are infected with AIDS, or in many other emergency cases. The feeding scheme provides 300 children daily with fresh cooked meals.
Sithandi Zingane is Ubuntu defined. A volunteer told me that to help orphaned children one has been touched by God. Half of all funds raised for this trip will go towards the Centre. People wishing to do more will be able to sponsor the trip (Centre) through a Rand-per-kilometre fund-raiser. Whether it’s R5 or R1000, all donations will go to the Centre, but specifically towards a facility of the Centres choice.
Upon visiting the centre I was touched by how the staff care and give of themselves tirelessly – these are people who have very little compared to the material-rat-race we so often get caught up in. One can forget that life and love is truly about giving, not receiving. I have chosen to contribute what I can towards this Centre because what’s being done there is beyond incredible. It is a miracle-project I am happy to now be a part of – even though ‘our’ contribution may be small in comparison, it is such a wonderful place, filled with good people and young innocent smiles who tomorrow, is our future.
I’ve decided to let go of everything that makes life secure and comfortable. I choose something else. I am tremendously excited by life, but I don’t think I’ll find it where I am. It is an ungrateful risk to give up everything that makes you happy in the hope that you can find something better. You risk not finding it. You risk finding it and then never being satisfied again, always yearning for more. But I am looking for experiences and memories that nothing, not the dimming light of old-age nor a world in crisis could take away from me. Uncertain travel holds an appeal for me, an alluring magic, an intoxicating release from conventional bonds, a chance for self-testing and self-discovery, and the rushing joy of being alive that I rarely find at home. Clarion calls to be alive and to treasure life.
On a bike you are living, breathing, hearing and smelling every mile of countryside. Yes, I will be moving slowly, but that becomes a joy in itself: the journey is the reward. The trip becomes more than just ticking off a list of must-see-sights. It is the people and places in between that forge the strongest memories and the greatest stories to share.
Would this trip interest your company? Would you be willing to offer whatever sponsorship you can and/or a chance of sharing my stories with your readers through your publication? Please contact me on: paolomsa@yahoo.com // 072 711 8444 // 011 883-2989.
Life is short. Go! Be!
Kind regards,
Paolo Magni
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