A select few of road hardy cyclists from Tjarks and Tjarks will attempt the long and windy road from Purley to Amsterdam, not by air, not by sea, but by bike.

Having conquered France in 2017, the highly successful 'Purley to Paris' raised £1350 for the Soi Dog Foundation. This year the team is back together (with a few new comers) with an aim to raise over £2000. There are so many great charities around the world that we would love to support however this year our focus goes to Zambia and Rwanda where some of the educational and community projects are making a life changing difference.

1. “Tukongote” / Zambia

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world" (Nelson Mandela). Tukongote Projects in Zambia was created by Waterberry Lodge in Livingstone, near the Victoria Falls. Tukongote supports a range of educational projects in nearby villages along the banks of the Zambezi river. The project has recently funded and opened a new Preschool and Primary School, and has also created a Library and Study Centre for the whole local community with 27.000 books, which were donated by the UK organisation Books2Africa. By supporting many underprivileged children with school uniforms, school fees and educational materials, Tukongote is paving the way to a better life for many of the young boys and girls. After successful completion of primary school, Tukongote also supports a number of talented students to attend Secondary School.

2. “Humanity for Children” / Rwanda / http://www.humanityforchildren.org/

Rwanda is a small country, but it is one of the most densely populated countries in all of Africa. Since the devastating genocide in 1994, the country has leaped to the continent’s forefront in economic growth, safety, educational reform and partnerships with the Western world. Young soccer players in Kazo Village in Rwanda love the game of "futbol”. The new Turanyi (Neighbor) Project hopes to capitalise on this love by using football to keep Rwanda children in school and to help them develop self-discipline, non-violent ways of dealing with conflict, and the knowledge and behaviours that prevent them from getting HIV/AIDS.