Last September, I arrived in a remote village called Karao in North Tanzania to volunteer at a primary school educating over 200+ Maasai children for over two months. I thought I came to teach English to the students and to train the teaching staff in school management, but I ended up receiving more than I could give. The children showed me that they appreciate honest attention and care more than fluffy toys and innocent moments of joyful dancing and singing more than watching Disney movies together. The people of Karao gave me a real-life lesson on how unrelated true happiness and material possessions are. They touched me in ways I will surely never forget… and when something truly life-changing happens to you that resets your priorities, you don't want to let that 'something' go. You even feel prompted to give back.

So, I'm returning to Africa this year, and I am going to cycle the 2023 Ride Africa, a 500 km cycling challenge that powers hundreds of cyclists through Kenya's national parks in 5 days. Some may call it crazy, but I call it yet another dream come true! And what do I see as my reward? Riding a bicycle while being surrounded by elephants, giraffes and zebras in the national parks and being waved at by adorable smiling children while crossing villages that will undoubtedly bring back all my cherished memories from Karao... 

If you feel you'd also like to reward Child.org for helping mums, babies and children in Kenya to access quality care, please express your support by donating. All money donated will go towards Child.org's life-saving work in maternal and child health.