Steve's Street Children Cycle Challenge - The Welsh Wales 400 km

steven fitzwilliam is raising money for Street Action
Donations cannot currently be made to this page

Street Children Cycle Challenge · 15 July 2017

Street Action is a UK charity that partners with local agencies in Africa who work directly with street children, particularly those run by former street children. We raise support, build connections and advocate around the issues regarding street children.

Story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This weekend I am cycling quite a long way through my Welsh homeland over a few Welsh hills, with 15 local fellows to raise money for Street Action ........here's why.  

Street Action are working alongside New Generation and other partners to try to secure the long term security of the New Generation street children and site in Bujumbura. 

Things politically in Burundi are not easy (since the refusal of the president to relinquish power in April 2015) with relative calm still underpinned by the threat of political and social upheaval at any point. The reality of the situation in the country is that energy (petrol and electricity) is being rationed, prices are rising (especially food) and nothing can be taken for granted. Against this backdrop, the children and staff at New Generation continue to demonstrate the reality of trying to live peacefully as a community.

However, there is some really positive news which provides real hope for the future of New Generation and the the 75 children who are currently part of the project. Through the generosity of some Street Action supporters, we have managed to raise the money to buy a plot of land that will become the permanent home of New Generation in Bujumbura. This land is now legally owned by New Generation and we have already raised some money to help them move existing buildings from their current site, and build a new brand building on their new site.

Having their own site will have some positive financial implications (saving rent they currently pay on their existing site and possible revenue generation through social enterprise projects). But most importantly, this new site will be a permanent home for New Generation, something the organisation, and most of the children in their care, have never had.   

This is all happening as we embark on the SCCC 2017 ride. We have raised almost £100,000 over the last eight years which is a phenomenal total that has already had a profound impact at New Generation. Money raised from this year's ride (SCCC 2017) will go towards:

1. Expanded Outreach Programme - money will be used to continue to pay for staff (two former street children), food and support for the expanding street outreach program at New Generation.

2. Boy’s Accommodation - money will be provided to cover the running costs of one of the boys' houses (accommodation for six boys) for the next year (including rent, staffing, beds, food and other ongoing costs).

3. Schooling - a small amount of money raised will be used to fund the Back to School programme in a couple of months (September) - including uniforms, books and new shoes for the 75 New Generation children who will be enrolling in the new academic year.

4. Site Moving and Ongoing Funds - any remaining money will be used to contribute to the core running costs at New Generation for the next year and some of the costs required to decorate and equip buildings on the new site (see above). This underpins all the work they do, including providing food, accommodation, schooling, counselling support and leadership training to over 100 young people each month (including those not living with New Generation).

As ever, they are so grateful to all our supporters who continue to support them, not least providing food, shelter and access to schooling for these children through these politically and socially tough times.

And it is the continued, year-after-year, support of groups such as the SCCC that motivates them to continue doing what they do.


If you could spare a few pennies this would be amazing.........

Donation summary

Total
£480.00
+ £102.50 Gift Aid
Online
£480.00
Offline
£0.00

Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees