Hi and thanks for visiting my Team World Vision/World Bicycle Relief fundraising page. I'd really appreciate your support in something I feel very strongly about.
There are currently more than 15 million children who have been orphaned by AIDS. Every 6,000 people die of AIDS, most of them are in Africa. Millions more are living with HIV and AIDS.
Remote villages, coupled with a lack of transportation, isolate patients from the growing availability of healthcare. Therefore, healthcare is useless because it does not reach those in need. Without care and education, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is left to run wild, leaving a wake of sorrow, hopelessness, and economic devastation.
Poverty is directly and undisputedly related to HIV/AIDS in Zambia. A parent (or parents) suffering and dying of HIV/AIDS leads to the destruction of a household’s earning power. The children orphaned because of HIV/AIDS deaths are often taken in by relatives or foster families, which leads to the overburdening of these families. Worse yet are the orphaned children forced to become the heads of household. These children often turn to prostitution or theft, and almost assuredly sink deeper into poverty.
There are heroes in Africa who are helping those affected by HIV and AIDS every day. They are the trained AIDS caregivers who travel many miles everday providing essential care. But they often lack means of transportation and are therefore limited in the number of people they can reach every day. By providing bicycles, we will ensure that healthcare workers reach those in need and that educators reach even the most remote communities. Mobilizing this potent force is a huge step in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Bicycles assist individuals, families, and communities in reversing the devastation of HIV/AIDS, and in returning to productivity and independence.
Our hearts are broken for these people and like me you may have wondered "What can I do to help?" Well, here's your chance. On July 29th, I will be riding my bike in the Tin Man Century Challenge, a 105 mile bike ride in Wisconsin. To make this big event more meaningful, I will be riding as part of Team World Vision to support their partnership with World Bicylce Relief and SRAM. By supporting my efforts you can help us provide 26,000 healthcare workers and educators with bicycles, more than quadrupling their ability to reach those they serve. I am hoping to raise at least enough money to buy 100 bicycles, but let's not stop there.
- $62 can buy one bicycles
- $310 can buy 5 bicycles
- $620 can buy 10 bicycles
- $6,200 can buy 100 bicycles
You can support my efforts by clicking the SPONSOR ME NOW button at the bottom of the page.
Won't you sponsor me now?
Thank you so much,
Michael Chitwood