What am I raising funds for?

My efforts are in aid of SOS Childrens Villages and specifically the new village which is to be built in Chipata, Zambia.

How am I fundraising?

In April 2008 I left my home in England to cycle round the world. The ride takes me through 5 continents and is expected to finish in 2010/11

Fast Facts About Zambia

- Located in south-central Africa, Zambia is one of the worlds poorest countries with the average daily income at 60p per day.

- 10% of the children in Zambia are orphans

- 88% of these children have lost their parents to aids

- Life expectancy is 38 years

- 70% of houses in Zambia are caring for orphans

What will my money go towards?

SOS Childrens Villages are building a new childrens village, nursery school, primary school and family strengthening programme  in Chipata, located in Zambias Eastern Province. With your help construction will start in 2009 and be completed by June 2010.

The primary school will offer basic education to children from the village and orphans from vulnerable households. A few places are also available to fee paying students to enhance sustainability and create a community environment for all children.

SOS Childrens Villages in Zambia

SOS began work in Zambia in 1999 with the opening of a village in the capital city Lusaka, about 4 km from the centre and in a densely populated and very poor area.

In 2004 a second village was opened in Kitwe, the capital of the Copperbelt region in Northern Zambia, an area home to large migrant populations. Both villages have kindegartens, primary schools and are home to Family Strengthening Programmes (FSP's). These FSP's give practical help and counselling to 1,500 children and their families in the local community who are affected by HIV/AIDS. The SOS Medical Centre also treats patients from 18,000 local families.

A third SOS Childrens Village opened in Livingston in Summer 2008 near the world famous Victoria Falls. It has 15 family homes for 150 orphaned and abandoned children. An FSP was set up earlier in 2006 and is already supporting over 300 children and 150 caregivers in the Livingstone area.

How can I help?

Do you have an event coming up? Do you know people who would be interested in helping? Are you a business looking to make a donation? Then please don't hesitate to contact either me or SOS Childrens Villages - each donation does make a difference.

Alternatively, if anyone reading this fancies a life changing experience then why not come and cycle with me for a few weeks? Anyone is welcome, you don't need to be a cycling expert and I can guarantee it will change the way you see the world, so why not do something amazing today?

Thank you for reading: please sponsor me and spread the word!

Matt

www.worldwidebikeride.com