Inmigrantes a ayudar a una buena causa canadiense

Joel Hayhoe 

 Joel Hayhoe un joven canadiense que ayuda a los demás!.

¿Comó un inmigrante puede ayudar a un Canadiense?. Es una pregunta que yo me hice, y honestamente creo que ayudarlo es muy fácil.  Nosotros podemos hacer la diferencia y hay personas en el mundo que necesitan nuestra ayuda. No es una cantidad que nos hará falta tan sólo unos pocos dólares que harán la diferencia para otros muy necesitados. Los invito a participar, a donar y a promocionar en nuestros blogs esta causa tan bonita. Por ello, los autorizo a que copien este post . Una entrevista que Joel muy gentilmente quizo dar. Ah por cierto, es hermano de Nathan.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I'm twenty-six and live in Victoria, British Columbia.  I went to the University of Waterloo in Ontario which has landed me a job in a coffee shop here in Vic.  I love listening to and playing music as well as doing things outdoors from camping and canoeing to biking, climbing, slack-lining  or having a beer on a patio.  

2. Some of our readers are interested in cycling in Canada. In what parts of Canada have you lived and ridden in? How is the infrastructure as far as cycling in Canadian cities is concerned? 

I really only took up touring seriously a couple of years ago when a friend and I decided to ride through the Southern United States from California to Florida to raise funds and awareness for Athletes for Africa (http://www.myathletesforafrica.com/TeamPage.aspx?langPref=?EventID=19144&LangPref=en-CA&TeamID=101813).  Since then I've spent most of my time in Victoria, BC, where I've used my bicycle to commute to and from work, and for short tours to Salt Spring Island and the Sooke Potholes.  I can't speak for all of Canada, but Victoria is extremely biker friendly with bike lanes and fairly comprehensive bike paths like the 'Galloping Goose' and 'Lockside' Trails.

My experience both in the Southern States and here in BC have been extremely positive.

3. What is Cycle Malawi/BYOB?

This initiative has two purposes:

click en la imagen para ayudar

1) Cycle Malawi - Cycling across the country to raise funds and interest for the Future Vision's project in the Taulo Region in Southern Malawi.

2) BYOBike - After my tour I will be leaving my bike at the project site in Southern Malawi as the first of several to be taken over and for a sustainable, income generating, cycle tour enterprise out of the region.  If the pilot tour is successful, I plan to return with a group of people next year who will raise their own funds and bring their own bikes to be left for daily use on-site and for local tours when needed.

4. Why did you chose Malawi?

My parents have been working in Malawi in different capacities for over fifteen years.  This has allowed me a glimpse into one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  However, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world with the Taulo Region identified as being in desperate need of support by the Malawian government.  Amidst all this, the people there meet up to and exceed their countries title of "The Warm Heart of Africa".

5. Tell us about your trip. When do you leave? Where will you start? How long will it take? Who will you go with?

I am leaving from Victoria on May 24th and arriving a few days later after a few flights including a day spent in Toronto where I will continue from with my father, Dan Hayhoe..  The first few weeks will be spent on the project working with the Project Manager, Newton Sunday Sindo on the new house for visitors and the many other initiatives in the area, as well as liaising with other local villages.

Around June 19th I will begin my bicycle tour from Karonga in the North to Mulanje in the South.  I have left three weeks for this tour, which will hopefully leave me some time to explore some possible loop routes that could be taken out of Taulo through Liwonde National Park, Mount Mulange, Zomba Plataeu, and other beautiful areas that people would enjoy visiting on future tours.  I'll be doing the tour alone, so am really trying to improve my abilities as a bike mechanic ;)

6. What provisions will you take? How many hours a day will you ride? Where will you stay?

To be honest with you, a great deal of the logistics of the tour will be decided while working and conversing with Newton Sindo in the first few weeks there.  I have toured before, so know how to pack light with minimal clothing and light gear, but the food and lodging will require some planning.  I'll have a tent with me and a little cash for lodging in the North, and plan to stay in huts in local villages that would want to become permanent fixtures in future tours; the idea is to enjoy an intimate Malawian experience and give others the opportunity to do the same in the future.

7. What are the dangers to riding in Malawi as opposed to riding in Canada (extreme heat? lions?)

 Weather can always be an issue, but I don't anticipate too many issues since this is one of the dryer, cooler seasons in Malawi.

On the other hand, I've never met a lion I didn't have an issue with.  They can be loud, temperamental, and downright rude.  Also, they are very unlikely to return loans.

Of course there are universal dangers when touring, such as crazy drivers, robbery, and dehydration.  But I really think that all you can do is prepare yourself as best you can and then be willing to roll with the punches.

8. Do you have any goals as to how much you would like to raise? How can people support you?

I honestly haven't put a number on how much money I would like to raise.  I am planning a couple of fundraiser events with the help of some friends here in Victoria, so I will have a better idea of what to expect in the coming days.

In the meantime, the best way to support me is to frequent the website at www.bringyourownbike.ca and to follow me on twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/joelhayhoe).  You can donate to Future Vision through the 'how you can help' section, but just feedback and verbal support is invaluable to me.