Earlier this week I found out that I was a contestant for the Face of Kenya USA 2015. A project founded by Janet Wainaina in 2012. The project aims to promote cultural diplomacy, youth empowerment, community cohesion, charitable initiatives and progressive branding of Kenyan products. What makes this pageant different from all the rest is that every contestant gets to pick a charity of their choice that they would like to support.
My charity of choice is the Safari Simbaz Cycling Trust. It aims to unearth hidden talent and develop world class athletes within underprivileged children in disadvantaged communities around Nairobi. They also provide supporting structures for formal and informal education. They help build sustainable communities by creating alternative career paths like being a tour guide, bike mechanic and even a professional cyclist.
The Safari Simbaz Cycling Trust is the brainchild of David Kinjah who is Kenya’s most successful cyclist. He was the captain of the Kenyan cycling team in 2006 commonwealth games. He has also competed professionally in Australia, Europe and South Africa. He is famous for training and discovering Chris Froome who won the 100th Tour de France in Mont Ventoux 2013.
The Safari Simbaz base is Kinjah’s private residence, a structure made from corrugated iron sheets with basic facilities. The base is located on the outskirts of Kikuyu about 15Km from Nairobi city. It functions as a workshop, training facility and houses some of his riders.
David Kinjah has used his wages, winnings and corporate sponsorship deals to support, train, feed, cloth and house numerous impoverished and underprivileged boys. He has for the past 20 years dedicated his life to the sport of cycling and has continued to hold the belief that the bike is the answer to reducing poverty in Kenya.
Your generous donations will go to the following:
- A donation of $50 will feed a rider for one week.
- A donation of $100 will help buy spare parts for the bikes.
- A donation of $500 will help buy a junior mountain bike.
- A donation of $1,000 will help buy a road bike.
- A donation of $20,000 will help build an elite training facility.
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." John Bunya
Live your life like it's golden,
Kabi
