Cycling is my passion any chance I get to ride is taken within a moments notice... As an African - born and raised there is no better opportunity for me to use what I love to help those who are not as fortunate who live in Africa in real poverty. Helping people who dont have social wellfare, access to clean water, proper accommodation, world-class education and access to information and technology - all the things we generally take for granted day in and day out. With this I have chosen to ride the Nightrider 2012 to raise funds for Uganda Development Services (UDS). UDS works with rural communities in Uganda to relieve poverty - operating in a specific area (Kamuli). UDS empowers people, young and old, to escape poverty. They provide access to a world of information through a Development Centre in Kamuli and train communities to improve their livelihoods.They help with some of the following projects:training people to build a new form of ‘smokeless oven’, using locally available materials. This is a more sustainable way of cooking – it uses a third less wood, cooks the food quicker and the smoke is channelled outside of the hut. Access to clean water is a common problem in Uganda. After malaria, diarrhoeal disease is the greatest cause of death in this area. Although there are boreholes, the time taken to collect water is a burden on families. UDS have been building water tanks in remote areas, to help families with this struggle. By positioning guttering on houses, and building a concrete water tank, families can store 2,000 litres of water. Although not a perfect solution, it can offer a regular supply of clean water for 7 months of the year - which nobody has to walk to collect. The internet café provides a service to the community which enables them to carry out research, access vital information and communicate with friends and family. With one of the fastest internet connections in Kamuli, the cafe is well used by people from all walks of life. Increasing job prospects by improving IT skills, UDS provide computer training in popular software programmes. The focus is now on offering appropriate training for specific sectors of the community such as secondary school students, teachers and deaf people.

As a Microsoft employee we have a matching fund program, so what ever amount I raise Microsoft will contribute an equal amount, I am looking for your support. I will ride the 100km Nightridger event, however the stuggles that the people of Africa face are far greater than a 100km, so I will also cycle to the event and back home again giving my total ride around 180km.