12 december 2020 Contact
For Immediate Release Allan Gogo
+254 (0) 710 101 026
Kenyan Cyclist to ride 1,000 km between Nairobi and Mombasa in three days to raise funds for children’s homes
Suleiman Kangangi takes on incredible challenge in support of disadvantaged Kenyan children
NAIROBI, Kenya – On 18th December 2020, professional Kenyan cyclist Suleiman Kangangi – better known in the world of cycling as Sule – will undertake a 1,000 km bicycle round trip between Nairobi and Mombasa within three days. His aim is to raise Ksh 500,000/= for Aswani Kizito’s Project of Hope, a children’s shelter located in Nairobi’s Kawangware area and Happy Rock Centre, a children’s home in Eldoret.
The charity bike ride christened “Sule’s 1,000 km charity bike ride for children” is the first of its kind. It is the brainchild of Suleiman Kangangi, who currently rides for UCI Continental team Bike Aid. Sule’s season in Europe, Africa and the Middle East was cut short this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Sule decided to put his time to good use by giving back to society.
During this season of giving, and at a time where a lot of Kenyans are suffering financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sule has decided to put his talent to support children who desperately need help.
Backed and supported by the entire cycling community in Kenya, the staff and Board Members of Aswani’s Project of Hope and Happy Rock Centre and many volunteers, Suleiman will attempt the 1,000km ride within a record three days from Nairobi and back with only a 12-hour scheduled layover and rest period in the coastal city of Mombasa. This has never been done before and will be an incredible achievement once completed.
“Cycling has been a passion for me from a very young age. This has been a very difficult year for so many people at so many levels, and since I always wanted to do something for the less fortunate, I think there couldn’t be a better time to put my talent to good use. When this idea came to me, and when I found the right team to support me, I couldn’t resist the opportunity. This ride gives me a chance to do what I love, which is cycling, but also to brighten the lives of many children around Christmas time. I cannot wait to get on my bicycle and ride for the children of Aswani and Happy Rock,” said Suleiman Kangangi.
“On behalf of the Board of Aswani’s Project of Hope, I want to say how super excited we are about Sule’s amazing 1,000 km ride. Not only is it an incredible feat from a sporting perspective but it also reflects what a wonderful young man Sule is. The children and staff who make up the Aswani Project are delighted that Sule has chosen us as one of the two charities he wants to raise money for. We will be there to wave him off and welcome him back. Go Sule!!,” said Sonal Sejpal, Board Member of Aswani’s Project of Hope and a Partner in the law firm Anjarwalla & Khanna in Nairobi.
“To have someone like Sule think about the well-being of these children in a world where people tend to be self-centred, is a manifestation that there is still hope in humanity,” said Meshack from Happy Rock Centre in Eldoret.
Sule is encouraging donations towards this project and hope that many will find it in their heart to support these children during the giving season. Well-wishers in Kenya can donate via the MChanga platform on https://secure.changa.co.ke/myweb/share/43638. While well-wishers overseas can donate via Go Get Funding on https://gogetfunding.com/sules-1000kms-charity-bike-ride-for-children/
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Aswani Kizito’s Project of Hope
Well-wishers Mebs Tejpar and Sonal Sejpal were moved to establish the charity after hearing of how Aswani Kizito and his wife Linet, with the help of a few Church volunteers were helping 80 orphans and abandoned children to survive and be educated. Aswani Kizito’s Project of Hope is located in the midst of Nairobi's Kawangware slum. It has been a beacon of hope and a source of shelter for hundreds of street children over the past 10 years. Built on Aswani's belief that all children should have a safe place to call home, this children's centre has provided a safe and enabling environment for children in an effort to protect their well-being and make them self-sufficient as they transition through the various stages of life. https://www.aswani-children.org/
Happy Rock Centre Happy Rock Centre was set up in September 2005 by John Wanjala and Nel Bloemheuvel and has so far taken care of more than 50 children, of which several small children have returned to their parents or grandparents or have been adopted. Almost fully registered in Eldoret, HRC is maintained with the donations that come in through Stichting De Blije Kei in the Netherlands and hopes to allow the older children to settle in the student city of Eldoret and to let the young children grow up in a healthy atmosphere. It is important to note that the children at HRC all attend school, learning the Kenyan system and this has seen several children succeed at high school level and proceed to college/university level.
The Ride
The 1,000kms bike ride will see Suleiman start his journey flagged off in Nairobi on 18th December and then proceed direct to Mombasa albeit with a few refuelling stopovers along the way. The target is to complete the first leg of the journey within 24 hours, take a 12-hour break in Mombasa before embarking on the return leg. The ride will be fully self-supported and cyclists willing to accompany Suleiman on the ride are welcome (contact allanohgogo@gmail.com for more information)
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