Biking for Obama » play for hope

come ride in the Joy Ride May 30th

ryan — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:19:14 +0000

Here’s a great chance for you to give hope to the lives of hundreds of Rwandan children this summer. By riding your bike and collecting sponsors for each mile you go, you will be contributing to sustainable sports camps for Rwandan youth!

You can take an active part in bringing social justice to children of Rwanda. Starting this June 2009, Play for Hope will launch youth sports camps in Kigali, the capital City of Rwanda. This dynamic partnership of Rwandans and Americans is committed to creating sustainable sports development for the youth of Rwanda through sports camps, tournaments, and leadership training. see www.playforhope.org for more details

From 10:00AM-4:00PM participants will ride through the city as they support the cause by raising pledges for each mile they go along the day. Checkpoints at various bike-shops, nonprofits, and businesses will provide refreshments, as well as an opportunity to connect with other progressive organizations throughout the city of LA. The bicycle is truly a vehicle for change, so come ride along and support the progress of the youth of Rwanda, as well as our beautiful and diverse city of Los Angeles.

Support Play for Hope

ryan — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:13:09 +0000

Please watch the video and consider making a contribution to the effort.
There are so many charities and organizations that focus on Africa’s need for help from us. Many of those often have failed to accomplish a sustainable change in the lives of those involved. Play for Hope has laid a foundation based on sustainability, and has the chance to dramatically improve the lives of Rwanda’s youth.

This June-July I will be traveling alongside a team American and Rwandan basketball and soccer coaches, medical staff and others to Kigali, Rwanda. We aim to provide an outlet to the thousands of children who don’t have any little leagues or organized recreational sports. Looking back on the relationships that I have made in my sports career, I realize that they have truly been some of the most fulfilling in my life. The lessons learned in teamwork and cooperation as well as the ability to push one’s self to the limit and compete at one’s maximum level is unparalleled.

Not only are sports VITAL to developing relationships amongst one’s peers, but they have the potential to uplift the spirit as well. Many Rwandan children have lost parents to genocide and AIDS and desperately need a message of hope and reconciliation.

As a photographer with a passion for justice, there is no way that I could miss this opportunity to document one of the most compelling, revolutionary events going on this summer. Please support us, fundraising efforts have been difficult in these economic times. While we will work with whatever resources we get, this cannot be done without as much help as possible.

back home

ryan — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:07:12 +0000

Past issues aside, being back in one’s hometown brings with it a sense of belonging. Whether its something in the air, or just the familiar street signs, there is something reassuring about being in the town where one grew up in.
After having travelled the countryside, I find myself taking new appreciation for the places I have been. “The Return” is an archetype in itself. Whether its the biblical reference to the prodigal son, or any of the myriad of examples in our literature, the thought brings simultaneous anxiety and comfort…sweet and sour. Cobwebs brushed aside, the memories resurface, and one takes a breath and moves forward…

While I look fondly upon my high school years, the thought of going back into the classroom had me just a little bit apprehensive. A few weeks ago in March I was invited by an old friend to see what the teaching world was like. Luke Fritz was my high school football teammate and co-leader of a young men’s Bible study back in the days of yesteryear (all the way back to 2004! [haha i know, im not that old yet])

Me and Luke in our days @ Wilson HS in Portland, OR (I’m #15, he wears #64)

Brought as a special guest speaker to a Westview High’s freshman global studies class, I sat in on a vibrant discussion of current events as well as the the student’s homework, they had recently finished reporting on various countries in Africa. I had even spoken to the kids via phone-conference while I was still in Virginia, so many of them were ecstatic to see me live and in-person. The kids enthusiasm was great, we got to speaking about how I planned my trip, and how I’ve found that a bicycle is truly the best form of transport in the world.

Anyways, I loved speaking to the kids about my experience, also, seeing how my buddy Luke has been able to infuse social justice into the classroom. The kids also asked about

and my plans to go to Rwanda. I was impressed by their knowledge of Rwandan history. It was great to see young minds committed to understanding more of the world around them.

Biking for Obama officially collaborates with Play for Hope

ryan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:57:47 +0000

For the last 8 months I have been working together with a group of individuals committed to creating a positive change in the world.

Many are familiar with the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994. The movie Hotel Rwanda exposed millions to the sad events that separated the nation and left thousands dead, orphaned and desolate. Play For Hope was created to bring hope and joy to the devastation and aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. They are a dynamic partnership of Rwandans and Americans committed to creating sustainable sports development for the youth of Rwanda through sports camps, tournaments, and leadership training. Many of these children have lost parents to genocide and AIDS and desperately need a message of hope and reconciliation.

I have decided that any funds supporting Biking for Obama that exceed the very necessities of getting to Washington D.C. will go towards sponsorship of Play for Hope. This is a committed, sustainable project that I fully believe in and plan on committing my economic, social, and political resources to.

Please check out the website www.playforhope.org, as a dear friend of mine, Brian Beckman has pledged his life to this cause. It is truly a inspirational quest that we hope will lead to a harmonious, independent Rwanda.