In the year of the first ever World Cup in Africa, motivated by a passion for football, music, travel, exploration and love of a challenge; I decided to combine these interests together by organising a 24 week African safari whilst trying to raise money for two lesser known but nonetheless worthwhile charitable causes.

I am flying to Nairobi, hoping to buy a vehicle there to drive down to Cape Town. Failing managing to get a decent budget vehicle to complete the trip, I'll be hitching, training and bussing it down.  

Whilst in South Africa, I'll be cheering on England, watching a bit of the World Cup and in the rest of my trip, I'll be participating in a bit of teaching and charity work, travelling back through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia and on to Malawi, where I will be DJing at the Lake of Stars Festival (www.lakeofstars.org.uk) which is a festival that was originally founded to increase the levels of tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa and attracts many renowned local and international bands and DJs. Finally, before coming home, I will be travelling through Tanzania, and climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest walkable peak in the world, the summit of Africa, and reputably an experience more painful than childbirth (thankfully I won't have to experience this particular pain though!).

Africa is a fascinating continent, home to a multitude of cultures, people, languages, religions, landscapes and wildlife as well as being the birthplace of the human race. Despite this, it is a troubled continent and home to widespread poverty, disease, famine, crime and corruption; but we cannot simply turn our backs on these problems. Nor can we simply throw money at these problems in the hope that they will disappear. The best way we can help Africa and Africans is to help them to help themselves and I believe that the two charities which I have selected do this in their own unique and positive way.

The MicroLoan Foundation (www.microloanfoundation.org.uk) is a charity providing small loans, business training and guidance to women in sub-Saharan Africa. Access to funding for and basic knowledge and understanding of how to run a business on a small scale is something that is not readily available in Sub-Saharan Africa. Giving small loans and business advice is a way to help people to empower themselves and to lead themselves out of poverty.

Balls to Poverty (www.ballstopoverty.net) , which you will see on my other Just Giving Page, is a charity than not only has a fantastic name, but also has links to my native Nottingham. It is about sport and community and raising the aspirations of young people. It gives young people free access to sport in a safe environment in their communities, which has been very positive in the reduction of crime and young people turning to gangs. In the year of the first World Cup in Africa, this is also one of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)'s official charities.

I thank you for taking the time to read this.

I'll be updating you as often as I can and look forward to seeing you all when I get back.

 

Ray

 

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