Solidarity Cyclers 2008: Riding for self-determination, environmental sustainability and economic liberation in Central America and the Caribbean (plus some other stuff)

 In a little less than two weeks, May 24-26 to be exact, Teams Quixote and CISPES will join forces for one more epic ride. If you missed it last year - here is the video of Solidarity Cyclers 2007! So once again we're putting our bodies on the line in an effort to encourage your support for some great work happening in Haiti.  Specifically funds raised go to support reforestation in Gros Morne and human rights in Port au Prince.

Many of you no doubt have heard that there is a food crisis in the world and that Haiti has been hit particularly hard. The price of food in Haiti has risen 50% over the last few months and prices on some basic staples are twice what they were a year ago. There are a lot of reasons why this is the case globally, and in Haiti. There is some background on the Haiti Reborn web site. Solutions to this crisis will have to be global in nature, which means a long difficult road of reform. Within Haiti though part of the solution must be revitalizing domestic production.

This is a huge part of what the program in Gros Morne is all about. We are not simply planting trees behind a huge fence with a no trespassing sign. The work in Gros Morne serves the twin goals of protecting water resources and providing trees that produce food. Both of these goals are central to the revitalization of peasant production. Each year the tree nursery produces 60-100,000 trees (depending on the weather) and these are distributed throughout the region to peasant associations, student groups, and church committees, providing shade, food, and a root system to one day halt devastating mudslides. This is important work! It saves lives in Haiti and even helps you here in the U.S. by sucking up some of the pollution you produced on the ride to work, or the last time you flew home to visit the parents.

In Port au Prince the violence that shook the city during 2004-2006 has been greatly reduced, but women continue to be the targets of attacks and the organization KOFAVIV that we fund is one of the few groups that is helping. KOFAVIV is the Commission of Women Victims for Victims. The group was founded in 2005 by survivors of brutal rape campaigns that happened in the 1990s. The women came together to provide services to new victims in the wake of the 2004 coup d'etat. Since its founding KOFAVIV has helped nearly 2,000 women get medical treatment. They have advocated for an end to violence, and have worked hard to link women together in circles of friendship and solidarity.

Support the crew that are riding for Haiti by making a tax-deductible donation.

Want to pledge by the mile?  You can pledge to me now and fulfill after the ride, or go ahead and make the donation today on-line or by check. Last year the three riders riding for Haiti raised $3,000! We hope to do a little better this year, so give what you can.

For on-line donations you can go to: https://www.quixote.org/haiti_donate/. You can also do a credit card donation by phone (301) 699-0042.

By mail: Send a check made out to Haiti Reborn/Quixote Center and mail to:
PO Box 5206
Hyattsville, MD 20782

Make sure to put "Haiti Bike Ride" in the memo line.

 Thanks Everyone!