December 5, 2005 Source: Mount Allison University:
http://www.mta.ca/news/?id=876 The Pedal for Hope — Mount A student hits the road for a good cause SACKVILLE, NB — Ayesha Harji, an international relations student at Mount Allison University is gearing up for the trip of a lifetime and raising money for a good cause. After finishing her Mount Allison career in December, the Beaconsfield, QC native is joining her father, Muslim on the Tour D’Afrique — a four-and-a-half month biking journey through Africa. Ayesha and her father have renamed the trip "The Pedal for Hope" and have added a unique angle to their endeavour, by simultaneously raising money in support of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, a non-denominational, non-profit, international development agency that promotes sustainable and equitable social development in low-income countries in Asia and Africa. Says Ayesha, "This experience will not only give me a first-hand perspective on the topic of my studies, but also has a philanthropic angle to it as well. I’m excited about the journey and also hopeful that it will help raise funds for and awareness of development in Asia and Africa. As well, every dollar donated to Aga Khan Foundation will be matched by CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency, so all contributions in support of our journey will be doubled." Ayesha and Muslim’s journey will begin on January 15 in Cairo, Egypt. The pair will bike a total of 11,900 kilometres through Africa, visiting Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Ayesha explains, "Our mandate in undertaking this expedition is threefold: first, a personal challenge; second, to foster international goodwill; and third, to raise funds that will help finance long-term development projects in this region of the world. All proceeds raised will go to the Aga Khan Foundation and we sincerely hope that the money will help to improve the lives of people living in poor communities on this continent." The Aga Khan Foundation (www.akfc.ca) is located in Ottawa and focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution building, and the promotion of economic development in low-income countries in Asia and Africa. It is dedicated to improving living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin, or gender. —30— For more information or to make a donation in support of "The Pedal for Hope" please contact Ayesha Harji (ahrj@mta.ca). For more information on the Aga Khan Foundation please visit the web site www.akfc.ca
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