The following is the handout from a presentation made to the Federation of Students (FEDS) at the University of Waterloo. The FEDS were very generous with their support and happy to share their contacts and resources with the project.

Other organizations were also happy to offer their support. You just have to ask!
One avenue that we wanted to explore but never got around to for lack of time was that of contacting organizations like the Rotary Club or the Lion's Club for sponsorships. By searching on the web (eg at www.rotary.org) it's possible to find information on different chapters of the organization in cities across Canada, so that a little bit of planning could mean being able to make a presentation and request for support from those worthy organizations while travelling across the country. It's a thought.

February 7, 1999
Sarah Kamal
FEDS presentation

Explanation of the project:

I'm working on developing a bike trip this summer from Vancouver to Waterloo to support education in Central America. The trip and the research I've done on touring are available to all UW students, and I'm in the process of contacting other universities to invite them to join us, as well.

The goals of the trip would be to

offer students the opportunity to travel through and learn about Canada in a special and unique way,
raise awareness and money for third world education funds which disburse scholarships to students in poor areas who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend institutions of learning, and
foster networking and a connection across the nation with other universities.

The fundraising:

The goal is to raise $4,500 ($1 per kilometer pedaled) to be split between The Fair Opportunities Group Education Bursary Fund, which aims to support education in poverty stricken neighbourhoods in Nicaragua, and Escuela de Espanol Pop Wuj, which helps fund the tuition and expenses of young scholars in Guatemala. General descriptions of both institutions are attached.

We aim to raise funds through contributions from organizations and individuals and organized events like bake sales prior to the trip, and culminate the trip itself with a fundraising dinner immediately before convocation.

Current status:

Seven students have contacted me so far and indicated that they'd be interested in joining me for the trip this summer. A number feel that they would like to do so next year. Research on the logistics of the trip are more or less complete, and we're in the process of solidifying our plans and organizing our awareness and fundraising campaign.

Support requested:

Whether the vision outlined above coalesces into a reality depends on the amount of support and help this project receives. The following are some ways the Federation of Students can help:

making a donation to the education fund;
offering contacts for corporate support and sponsorship of the riders (who will otherwise be paying their own way);
allocating webspace for the trip as a means of recording a detailed itinerary of the trip, budget, and "things to take" list for students in future years wanting to make the journey; and
helping to make the fundraising dinner a success.

I firmly believe that this project will offer those students who decide to take it on an opportunity to grow and challenge themselves in an exciting, fun, and socially meaningful way. I also feel that there is potential to make the trip into an annual event, creating ties with other universities, and giving a continuing gift of education from the University of Waterloo student body to our underprivileged counterparts in the world community.

Thank you for your time.