The European portion of the rally was originally slated for a day of driving through Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy, and then a 48-hour ferry from Genoa, Italy to Nador, Morocco.  However, because of the unpredictable nature of ferries from Europe to Africa, and also because the “Bamako,” as it’s colloquially referred to in Hungary, is proud to be a very loosely organized rally, the organizers simply left the route to Morocco up to the various teams this year.

Due to a combination of the ferry schedules, and the fact that we missed an entire day of the rally, our best option was to catch a ferry in Spain.  Southern Spain, of course, is a long, long way from Hungary.

We set off from Budapest knowing that we had to steam across Europe nearly non-stop to catch up.  We went by plenty of amazing landscapes in Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, France, and Spain in just a couple of days.  And, while it would have great to stop at any one of these places, given that we planned to drive across the Sahara with the other rally participants, catching was our priority, even though a few times sanity almost prevailed.

It should be noted that, while on our own European version of Cannonball Run, we managed to miss all of the culinary offerings Italy, France, and Spain had to offer, save for the burrata prosciutto paninis at the gas station just east of Trieste, which really should not be missed if you find yourself in the area.

After 40 hours of driving and 8 hours of sleeping, we drove onto the ferry in Algeciras, Spain, bound for Africa.

Yet, we remained in Spain a while longer.  The Spanish enclave of Ceuta is the ultimate soft-landing for the overland visitor to Africa from Europe.  It’s a densely populated, considerably built-up, attractive little Mediterranean city located in Africa, with Morocco just a few kilometers from the city center.

We had a delayed entry into Africa, twice re-crossing the Moroccan/Spanish border for forgotten items—once for a tax reimbursement form that we didn’t drop off at the right customs office, and once for a set of keys to the Cruiser that were mistakenly exchanged for a bathroom key, the latter of which was a unique experience.

During a routine bathroom break, Nate mistakenly swapped the bathroom key for his set of keys to the Cruiser, which also happened to have a key to our safe attached.  He noticed this only after leaving Spain, but before clearing Moroccan immigration—a sort of no man’s land that is not a good place to be caught within, with masses of people headed back and forth from Ceuta through gated passage ways.  Nate quickly attempted to double back into Spain to grab the keys.  As you might guess, trying to explain (in English) to a Spanish border guard, as you’re walking from the direction of Morocco, that you need to re-enter the E.U., without a car, to pick up your car keys that you mistakenly left at a gas station, might be met with a bit of skepticism.  Ultimately though, with the help of our ferry ticket from Algeciras, some strategic line cutting and a refusal to take “no señor” for an answer, Nate was successful, and we finally passed through the bureaucratic, but surprisingly baksheesh-free, immigration process into Morocco.

And on that note, the African adventure was off on the road to Marrakesh, a slight detour, but still continuing the chase for the rally.

We arrived at the start of 2012 Budapest to Bamako Rally and were lucky to even be allowed into the entrance area.  We were late.  Over an hour late.  We had a sleep problem because part of the Voyages Verts team was still carrying out what was perhaps, in hindsight, not the best plan—Nate and Lee had headed out the prior evening to park the Cruiser in the official rally parking lot, and, after failing to even find the lot, instead decided to park the Cruiser elsewhere and head out with Nate’s friends Anais and Kelly for another night out in Budapest.  The big night in Budapest turned into the big morning in Budapest when, at around 4:00 a.m., consensus was reached to just stay up all night at Instant, a ruin bar we happened upon while wandering the streets and head directly to the start of the rally at dawn.  We were, after all, only in the rally’s touring class (i.e., non-racing class).

After months of preparation, it was finally here.  Despite the bitterly cold Hungarian winter morning, the rally start was a full on event, with the Hungarian media out in force.  We were impressed, and a bit disconcerted, to see how well the other teams had prepared.  Despite the cold, and general feeling that the best thing to do would be to simply sit and sleep in the car, we walked around and talked to some of the other teams.  Everyone seemed stoked to get on the road and head straight down to Guinea Bissau.

The rally had now officially begun.  Once over the start line, we drove straight back to our apartment, intending to pack up the last of our gear onto the roof and head out on the long drive to Rissani, Morocco, the end of the rally’s first stage, only to fall asleep.  Waking up a bit worse for wear around 2:00 p.m., we decided not to leave Budapest that day, a completely unplanned turn of events that ensured we would be solidly in last place for at least the next couple of days.

After the Great Transcontinental Gear Run (more on that later), and sorting out the Cruiser in Peterborough, England, home of Footloose 4×4, Justin and Lee began the drive to Budapest, where the start line of the Budapest to Bamako Rally awaited.

The trip over to Budapest was basically a straight shot:  we headed down to Dover to hop on a ferry across the English Channel to Dunquirque, France, along the way stopped in Bruges, Belgium for frites and Nuremberg, Germany for crisp beer, sausages and a bit more gear, and a couple of days later arrived in Budapest.

On Thursday Nate arrived in Budapest to complete the Voyages Verts crew.  Finally, after weeks of preparation, we had a bit of time to relax and enjoy this awesomely preserved city.  After several fun nights out with our friends Adam and Adrienne, and Anais and Kelly (thanks to all for making our time so special), too many schwarmas, too much pálinka, and plenty more work getting ourselves and the Cruiser ready, we were finally ready to kick off the rally.

In 2008, Shine On Sierra Leone was given the opportunity to receive a $50,000 donation from All for Africa.  However, there was one catch – we had to raise $50,000 first and then All for Africa would match that. At the time, fundraising that amount seemed almost impossible but with relentless efforts, we succeeded. The impossible quickly became possible and we had $100,000 to execute our goal of partaking in rehabilitating Sierra Leone by increasing access to all levels of education.

We partnered with Salone Microfinance Trust, a small and solid Sierra Leonean MFI, and invested $50,000 of the donation into microcredits for 125 women who were also the mothers of Shine On Sierra Leone supported students.  This investment brought microcredits to an area that previously had none.  Each woman received a $250.00 loan which enabled them to start or expand  businesses such as selling fish, produce, being a tailor, or owning a restaurant. We were surprised at the variety of businesses we supported but we were truly astounded by the 97% repayment rate that we maintained. This incredible repayment rate made it viable for us to continue to loan out more microcredits to local women. Today, because of that initial donation, we have been able to raise additional funding for the now formidable Salone Microfinance Trust to fund microcredits for over 7,000 Sierra Leonean women and men!

 With the remaining $50,000, we continued our passion for and commitment to sustainable development – one of the cornerstones of Shine On’s groundbreaking work. We used $25,000 of our fund to build the first sustainable building in Sierra Leone specifically using the earthbag building technique created by late architect Nader Khalili.  We created a 3-classroom earthbag building made with 90% earth that cost a fraction of what traditional cement laden building would have.  This building, affectionately referred to as the “Unity Building” by its builders as it united the local tribes in an unprecedented way, was just the beginning.  Since it’s opening, we have been able to provide 500 students with adequate learning space and a solid environment to receive their education.

As a result of the success of this building, we were able to garner funds from NBA basketball star Cuttino Mobley to build a recreation center and basketball court on the school premises.  As a result of the recreation center, Adama, a Sierra Leonean woman now living in Connecticut, began to dream of building a school in her small village just 6 hours away from our first eco project.  Adama shared her dream with her church and one friend took action and saw that investing in an earthbag building at a fraction of the cost of regular building would make this dream truly possible. At the same time, the original builders of the 3-classroom building and recreation center decided to start their own earthbag building business and launched Shine On Construction.  With the support of her friends and church, Adama’s dream came true.  She was able to hire the newly formed Shine On Construction to build the first school in 125 years in her tiny hometown village of Kamatuduku, Sierra Leone.  Today, Shine On Construction is working on building the first eco village in Sierra Leone with the unique Tribewanted (www.tribewanted.com) project, an SOSL partnership, on the pristine John Obey beach along the country’s coveted coastline.

This is the story of one donation, unfolding over time, to affect thousands.  Each year, the value of that initial donation expands to new heights and just like that, the impossible becomes reality and Shine on Sierra Leone’s story continues.

Just one of many storylines to recount as we continue to Shine On…

Happy 2012! Throughout this year, AFA will be highlighting how our POP trust beneficiaries are doing. Every month we will focus on one beneficiary and relay a bit about the progress that they are seeing on the ground in Africa. Look for our first report in the next week right here!

Three friends and seasoned travelers, Nathan Riggs, Lee Gordon, and Justin Ledden are planning on participating in the “touring edition” of the Budapest to Bamako Rally, a two-week off road sojourn in which anyone, by any means, navigates over land and the Mediterranean Sea from Budapest, Hungary to Bissau, Guinea Bissau in West Africa.  The rally kicks off from Budapest on Saturday, January 14th, 2012.  In addition to taking part in the charitable activities associated with the rally, such as donating funds and supplies to local schools in Senegal and Guinea Bissau, Voyages Verts has partnered with All for Africa, a charity based in New York which supports local charities throughout Africa.

On January 29, 2012, with a bit of luck, we plan to arrive in Guinea Bissau in good health with our vehicle, gear, and traveling spirits intact.  Lee and Justin have a vague plan to continue on and arrive in South Africa in the summer of 2012, traveling along the way with an assorted group of friends, family and fellow adventurers.  The route, the timing and the activities will be to a large extent to be shaped by events on the ground and our hopes to visit and volunteer with All for Africa’s beneficiaries along the way.  One certainty is that we plan to document this experience through filming a documentary and frequently updating this blog.

Our vehicle of choice for the expedition is a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser GS, which we purchased in England from Footloose 4×4, an outfitter that specializes in equipping vehicles for just such an occasion.  It has a diesel engine which we are planning to convert to run on vegetable oil.  Essentially, we plan to weave our way along the paved roads, dirt roads and through the desert, bush, and whatever else we encounter of West, Central, and Southern Africa for thousands of kilometers on vegetable oil.

The Budapest to Bamako Rally was started as a cheaper, less serious alternative to the Paris to Dakar rally. With a motto of “Anyone – By anything – By any means”, it beckons the curious and aspiring Africa overland traveler.  It entails 17 days of challenging off-road paths in Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and Guinea Bissau.

The Budapest to Bamako Rally has a charitable focus, which is consistent with the idea of our trip. In the 2012 version, the rally organizers will use funds from the rally, and additional donations from rally participants and sponsors, to build schools in villages in Senegal and Guinea Bissau. We plan on supporting their efforts by delivering school supplies to schoolchildren in these villages..

For Voyages Verts, however, the rally provides not only the opportunity to participate in the charitable efforts being planned by the rally’s organizers, but also the opportunity to raise awareness about All for Africa’s programs.  In addition, the rally will give the team a somewhat organized way to become accustomed to overlanding with our vehicle and all of the camping, repair, recovery and other gear we’ve accumulated for the past few months—we can see how some of the more experienced drivers operate and seek their advice and, if something goes wrong initially, we will be able to receive help.

For more information about the Budapest to Bamako rally, please visit http://www.budapestbamako.org/en

AFA Runs Out Poverty

The 2011 ING NYC Marathon was an amazing success for the runners of team AFA and for the Palm Out Poverty initiative. AFA’s 25 team members were as diligent in their fundraising as they were in preparing for this intense challenge. Our team members were able to raise over $46,000.00 to help us support this great cause and we can not thank them enough for their support for AFA and their discipline in this incredible accomplishment.

Below are a few stories about individual experiences in the race. Our team AFA provided them. Enjoy!

AFA Team Member, John Moran

“This was my first marathon and I think I am hooked. It was an incredible experience. I started out strong, finishing the first half in 1:59 but I could tell around mile 10 this might not be my day. I was targeting a 4:10 marathon but as I hit the Queensboro uphill (which is totally unnecessary at that point in the race!) I could feel my legs starting to cramp. Anyway, 1st avenue was incredible and I saw my family at 73rd street which gave me a little boost but the wheels came off about a mile later. Severe cramping limited me to a walk/run for the last 8 miles. I finished in 4:54 and could not sleep because I was mad and know I can do better! Everyone was congratulating me but inside my competitive nature was boiling with what might have been and I decided about 5 minutes after I finished that I NEED to redeem myself and run it next year. I would love to run for AFA again, is it t early to sign me up?”

AFA Team Member, Sandra Vu

“I’m a graduate student at New York University getting my Masters in Food Studies – a program focused on food policy, systems and culture. In June 2011, I went on a program in Ghana with NYU to study hunger and food security. I fell in love with the country, its people, culture and food. More importantly, I was impressed with the various efforts being made towards agricultural and community development. When I returned to New York, I came across All for Africa and wanted to help fundraise money towards sustainable African communities.

Since I participated in the marathon to represent All for Africa, my goal was just to complete the marathon and “enjoy” the experience without worrying about my time Here’s a recap of my marathon experience with definitely more highs than lows!

The highs: perfect fall weather, seeing friends and loved ones along the course, support from strangers cheering, high-fiving kids as I ran by, seeing people of all abilities and ages running, hearing different languages around me, running through each in diverse NYC borough, reading funny signs (some of my favorites – “You trained for this longer than Kim Kardashian was married,” “Staying up all night making this sign was hard too,” and “Worst parade ever.”)

The lows: unyielding calf and hamstring pains, crowded streets and congested bridge.

I am truly thankful for the unwavering support from family and friends near and far, and grateful to all the volunteers and cheerers out on the course. I was proud to represent All for Africa in the 2011 NYC Marathon!!”

AFA Team Member, Alison Kronstadt

“Thanks so much for your email and for All for Africa’s incredible support. As you know, this was my first marathon. I was honored to be a part of Team All for Africa. Running (and training for the marathon) was an incredible experience — I remember every step, especially the one that took me across the finish line. I felt so many emotions at that moment — happiness, pain, gratitude, pride and relief (to name a few). While I was running, I kept reminding myself that I was actually running a marathon — I was actually doing it! It was an amazing day.”

Soul Food

Did you ever imagine that it was possible to positively affect the problem of poverty on the continent of Africa by hosting or attending a dinner party? Because of the innovative efforts of All For Africa in collaboration with Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Karma 411, that possibility is now reality. We have devised a brand new, uniquely delicious method for you to support All For Africa’s Palm Out Poverty initiative and you can participate in this effort, relatively effortlessly.

Here is how you can join All For Africa’s new viral dinner campaign. It’s as easy as going to the website and registering  to host a dinner party at your home. Invite friends and family to this feast. At the website you can browse African inspired menu items created exclusively for you by Chef Marcus Samuelsson. All of your guests will be able to choose which item they will bring and a corresponding donation that they will make toward your ultimate fundraising goal of $1000.00 or more. They will then be able to create a web page to send to their friends and family allowing even greater branches of support for your event. When you have your guest list and menu decided, there is a link at the website that allows you to purchase Stellekaya wines (from South Africa) to round out your affair with true African flavor. And beyond the great party, wonderful food and the ultimate good you will do for Africa, the champion fundraisers will receive fabulous prizes including dining at Red Rooster with Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

What all of the dinner participants are supporting is the Palm Out Poverty initiative which is working toward growing ONE MILLION oil palm trees in Africa. When these trees begin to produce palm oil, over $700 million dollars of support over 35 years will be distributed to our partner not for profit groups and NGO’s on the ground all over the continent.  This initiative is a new collaborative philanthropic effort that will promote a sustainable revenue stream for All For Africa’s partners and begin to solidify the economies and social infrastructures of hundreds of communities in Africa. Our goal of affecting community level projects in clean water, health, education, energy, micro-financing and skills training can all begin to be met with the support received through just throwing a dinner party.

Feeding your friends and family has never been more rewarding than this. Hosting one of these dinner parties will not only fill your house with guests and your table with great African food and wine but you will be helping to fill whole communities in Africa with hope for the future. The idea of feeding others is a catharsis. Fulfilling that fundamental need nourishes our souls. We hope that you will get involved and take this incredibly simple and savory opportunity to support the Palm Out Poverty initiative.

Sign up to host your own dinner party and help Palm Out Poverty!!

How easy can it be to make a change you want to see in the world? Anyone can do it, so can you…right? As we know, All For Africa it is a nonprofit organization committed to poverty reduction and the creation of sustainability of local economies on the continent of Africa. For the upcoming ING NYC marathon, All For Africa has invited 25 runners and each of them are working toward a fundraising goal of between $2,500 and $5,000 for an organization of their choice that is affiliated with AFA. These organizations include: AMREF-also known as Africa’s leading health development organization, Barka Foundation-which is committed to raising funds for the innovative, inter-cultural WASH project in Burkina Faso, Batonga Foundation-known for supporting education for girls in Africa, and others such as FACE Africa, Zara’s Center and the Georges Malaika Foundation.

Our long distance runners from Canada are Monica Lorion, Marcelle Belanger and Robert Bouchard. These participants have joined hands with the Barka Foundation and have together raised over $15,000 so far. They relayed a quote that is their narrative for participating and it is as follows; “We run for peace in the world. We run to help create this world that we seek. The water is life and Peace. That is why we run with BARKA”.

 Our other runners have also proved themselves by steadfastly working toward attaining their ultimate fundraising goal. All for Africa and our runners are continuously working together to achieve our overall fundraising goal and have raised over $50,000 to date. All for Africa is exceedingly happy with the amazing effort of our runners, in working toward achieving these goals so that we all can support this greater cause of a better and more prosperous Africa. Confident with our supporters, we encourage all of them to help us meet our overall event goal by visiting our runner’s personal pages and making pledges in order to raise money for innovative projects in Africa. November 7th, 2010, is almost upon us so let’s all be part of the solution by helping the runners in their efforts to Run Out Poverty in Africa.
CLICK HERE to make a difference today by supporting a runner in the ING New York City Marathon and making a donation.