Can you help? 

It costs only £35 for a year of reading and writing lessons for one child. If you can match that, or help with sharing part of this cost, you will add your bit to changing children's future for the better. 

The story (or why am I doing this)

I was 6 when I learned to read, 7 when I learned to write. Many years later, I understood that these basic skills for children in the West remain a dream beyond reach for millions of children in Africa and Asia. It is a priviledge we received thanks to our families and schools, and we did little to deserve it. While we cannot pay it back, we ought to pay it forward to the next generation.  

Eight years ago, I spend the summer as a volunteer teacher in the boarding school in Gangkharka, Nepal (that's where I met Nima Sherpa, the boy on the cover photo!). There, I learned the harsh reality of education far from urban centres - no lighting, no heating, no internet, and a handful of books to serve dozens of students. There were hardly any educational materials, but we had one small globe to play with. I used it in the evenings to tell them stories of lands beyond the peaks of Himalayas which surrounded the school. This colourful representation of Earth was the only window they had to the wider world: it inflamed their imagination, inspired to dream, and motivated to study. If a few old books, one globe, and some storytelling could achieve this much, what could be done with proper teaching materials and teacher's support? 

Room to Read helps with eaxctly that - it develops literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and supports girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond. Research on development suggests that focusing on childhood literacy is one of the most effective ways to improve living standards across the globe. While I don't have time to be personally involved in teaching like I used to, I decided to take a few days of my time and effort to help fundraising for this mission. 

What I will be doing?

I will join the other Techbikers on my first ever multi-day cycling journey. I will sweat over 300km across the French and English country lanes, starting in Paris on Friday early morning, and hoping to finish in London on Sunday evening.  Your donation will help to make it more than just a fun exercise, and help fighting one of the largest problems of development across the world. 

Where will your donation go?

All your donations will go straight to Room to Read, who have received the coveted Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator nine(!) years in a row. Funds will be used to build schools or libraries in developing countries such as Nepal or Tanzania. Funds go where the need is greatest.

What's Techbikers?

In 2012 TechBikers launched in London as a means for the tech community to put down their laptops and pick up a bike to support charity, network and share ideas. The goal is to help children in need by supporting literacy charity Room to Read. Since 2012 over 350 tech professionals – including start-ups, venture capitalists and executives – have cycled 1600km between Paris to London to raise over € 300.000 for this fantastic charity.

This year, TechBikers is going international with rides across central and Eastern Europe.