USA |
California Peace Ride 2010: Alternative transportation can greatly slow down the destruction of our precious planet. This open-invitation expedition will enable people to come out and experience just how far they can ride by bike and encourage folks to ride more and drive less. And if they have to drive, to consider alternative technologies like Hybrid or clean burning Diesel to lower our impact on Mother Nature. Free free to pedal along with passion! Website |
Columbia |
Eco Ciclistas: Juan Carlos and Jamie connected in Cali, Colombia and we were destined to work together. Juan Carlos will be traveling 30,000km by bike around South America while giving lectures and educating people about various environmental issues. We decided to sponsor his project with a website and free consulting for his project. He's planning to head out late 2010! Check his site at www.ecociclistas.org. |
Ecuador |
Ecuatopia: Ecuador is as close to Utopia as we've seen with mountains, beaches, rivers, jungles, fertile land and plenty of resources. But it's also an environmental disaster waiting to happen. We met three passionate nature lovers Eduardo, Jorge and Julia while traveling through Esmeraldas, Ecuador in November, 2009 who shared our passion to turn Ecuador around and we have started a grassroots organization Ecuatopia to educate, inform and bring Ecuador closer to it's true potential. Check the website here. |
USA |
Pedaling for Empowerment: Ben Ross and Jamie Bianchini met in Colombia in 2009. Soon afterwards Ben emailed us and said he was inspired by our work and wanted to start his own Live Big, Give Big project himself. After several months of coaching, Ben has launched his dream project and will be pedaling with the Peace Pedalers as we wind down--he'll be winding up. Check the website here. |
Community Development Projects
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South Africa |
Pedal Proud: In the modern world we take for granted having our own set of wheels--a bike. But in the townships of South Africa most people have never owned one. They take expensive public transportation to school and work, or walk long hours--both are a waste of time and money. We decided to kick off our African tour by donating 100 bikes to the Kylesha Township to do our part to empower the community. It was an unforgettable experience. Pics here. |
Nepal |
Operation Smiles: As we made our way through Asia we were amazed how many orphans there were. We were in no position to adopt but wanted to at least do our part to let them know they are special and loved. So we started making visits and delivering toys from the Toy Bank and rides from the Peace Pedalers to put smiles on their precious faces. A great way to spend an afternoon on your next trip or even domestically. Pics |
Zimbabwe |
The Mobile Studio: On Jamie's long journey through Africa he met dozens of talented musicians who did not have a professional recording of their work to send out for gigs, collaboration or recognition. Jamie recorded dozens of artists around the world with professional equipment and provided them with a free CD to empower them to move thier careers forward. See sample pic |
Bolivia |
Operation Agua: While Jamie was riding in Bolivia one rider Bruno shared a vision to make a difference in Bolivia. Over 30% of Bolivians live without access to clean water. Bruno is a water engineer with years of experience installing systems for the government. Together they have created Operation Agua to bring fresh water to smaller villages often off the radar screen of government projects. Check the website for the latest. The pilot project is live and we have a $22,000 goal for our first community. |
Health & Education Projects
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Uganda |
Good Hope School, Uganda: I picked up two special guest riders in Uganda named Innocent and Warren. Innocent shared his dream to start a school to help AIDS orphans and needy to receive education in his community. I vowed to help him and he managed to get land donated, built buildings, found teachers and we now have over 190 students at the school! We are always looking for support to continue building the project. This is grassroots at it's very best--no administration costs, no overhead, no nonsense. See the website at www.goodhopeschool.net and follow the investigation steps. Contact Innocent for information or to schedule a visit to Uganda. PayPal donations to goodhopeuganda@gmail.com or check website for for credit card donations. |
Mozambique |
Spokes for Hope : When Jamie was researching his African route the stats about Malaria were shocking. Over 1 million people die each year in Africa from Malaria! He was not happy with this number so he contacted Novartis about his vision for Spokes for Hope. After much persistence, they set him up with hundreds of free treatments of Coartem to disperse to villages during the volatile Malaria season. He pedaled through dozens of small villages throughout Africa and was able to save the lives of those suffering or who would become infected in the future. There is no better feeling than saving a life--try it on your next trip to developing destinations. A photo of one of many lives saved. |
Kenya |
Peace Pedalers Scholarship Fund: When Jamie met a guest rider Joseph in Kenya he shared his sad story of his father losing his job and having to give up his studies due to lack of school fees. Jamie and his mother Carol agreed to start a scholarship fund for Joseph and funded several semesters of school. |
Swaziland |
School Supply Deliveries : While traveling in Swaziland Jamie realized how many schools lacked basic supplies like pens and notepads. Jamie began dispersing supplies in various countries to grateful students. Consider this on your next visit to developing destinations. The kids are ever so grateful and it DOES make a difference. Sample Photo |
Rwanda |
Good Hope School, Rwanda: This project is in development next door to our the school in Uganda. Another Peace Pedalers guest rider Pascal has donated his family plot of land to start Good Hope Rwanda. We would love your support as we launch the next school of Good Hope! See the website at www.goodhopeschool.net and contact Jamie to schedule a visit |
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Worldwide |
The Worldwide Invitation to Ride: This was and still is the founding mission of Peace Pedalers--to create more world peace, one rider at a time. The core principals behind the ride are simple: trust, acceptance, tolerance, compassion and unconditional love. As Jamie rides the globe he tries to maintain these values while he invites strangers from around the world to break through all perceived barriers and create friendships. The same values are those the world needs more of if we are to move closer to the vision of true world peace. This mission continues with the final event, the California Peace Ride. |
Chile
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Positive Press/Prensa Positiva: When Chilean Roberto Corona & Jamie met in Iquique they shared a common vision of reducing fear caused by so much negative media. A news channel & online source of purely positive content was a necessary step in the peace process. Enough is enough with repetitive negative news that represents such a small percentage of the REAL news. The good stuff is rarely covered by major networks and we feel the world is awakening and finally ready for a progressive network. We have launched two multimedia sites www.positivepress.tv in English and www.prensapositiva.tv in Spanish. We are looking for partners, sponsors & volunteers. Contact us to get involved! |
Zambia |
Pics for Peace: The experience of a total stranger approaching someone to create a pedal powered friendship is worthy of a souvenir. Jamie realized that he was taking photos but the guest riders were not able to have the same gift to remember the experience. So in Zambia Jamie had a portable printer sent out and since then has printed hundreds of photos to individuals and families of thier time together, which helped keep the spirit of peace and friendship alive. Sample |
