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GLO Burundi Tour 2024
  • Hugh Wells
  • Zachariah Wells
  • Hugh Wells
  • Zachariah Wells

GLO Burundi Tour 2024

Hugh and Zach Cycling 700km in Burundi
Donate to GLO Link https://www.justgiving.com/page/zachariah-wells-1714389579149 Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 3, 2024
    GLO Burundi Tour 2024

    Getting Ready

    May 30, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Getting ready to go to Burundi - 700km and 37000 ft of climbing. It is for GLO who do amazing work in Burundi which is having an awful time. We will visit some of the projects they are working with while we are there.

    We did RideLondon 100 last Sunday as a warm up. We finished despite many punctures. Next week the flat and wet conditions of London will be the hot and hilly conditions of Burundi!

    Any money donated goes straight to GLO as we personally pay all our own travel accommodation cost. If you can donate we would be very grateful.

    https://www.justgiving.com/page/zachariah-wells…    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024

    Day 1 - Arrival in Burundi

    June 2, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Bikes were packed and then to the airport. My flight left 2130 on Saturday night (the flight Zach was on had become very expensive with little availability so close to the time). First stop Kigali, stepping off the plane to the distinct smell. colours and warmth of Africa. Everything is always so much more vivid here.

    An 8 hour wait in Kigali airport ensued - a breakfast of chipatis and little yellow bananas - followed by more waiting and reading and sleeping and waiting.....until around 1530 when the flight was ready to board. Walking up the steps I saw my bike - horray it's made it to the last leg and I'm hopefully going to have a bike to ride!

    I find my seat - next to the biggest guy on the plane! - it's only 30 minutes thankfully.

    Arrive in Bujumbura - queue for visa - not too long - the biggest issue being at the passport check officer where my nationality causes an issue - Royaume-Uni is tricky to find in the list!

    To the King Conference Centre where we are staying in Bujumbura - a hotel which GLO helped to found - coffee and samosas and then back to the airport to meet Zach and the other riders whose journey through visas and passports takes 3 hours! Back to KCC for sleep.    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024

    Day 2 - Meeting GLO Partners and Warm Up

    June 3, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Today was an early start after a long day of travelling yesterday. 7:30 down for breakfast with a quick Bible thought of the day from one of the group. Then we met with Audry, the national director for Evangelism Explosion Burundi. He spoke about his story from fleeing Burundi in the war, to training to be an evangelist, now working with children and adults to help spread the word of God throughout Burundi.

    We then drove to meet Ephraim, another GLO partner, who works with vulnerable women, often who have been trafficked, teaching them how to sew so that they are able to sell clothes to make an income. We heard his story of fleeing to the DRC during the genocide after most of his family had been killed and then God calling him back to Burundi to help his people and helping change hundreds of lives through his work.

    The final partner we met today was Dieudonné, founder or New Generation and former presidential candidate. He was a street child after his parents were murdered in the genocide, he then went on to help other street children and forgave the man who killed his father. His project aims to raise up a generation of street children to become leaders in Burundi and promote reconciliation. Here we ate lunch and heard about his projects working with street kids - playing sports with them, teaching them skills and leadership. They have taken teams to the Street Children World Cup in both football and cricket!

    We then headed back to our hotel to get changed into our cycling stuff and then put our bikes back together, before heading towards the Congo border for our practise ride. We saw the detrimental effect that the rising levels of Lake Tanganyika has caused, it’s risen by 12ft and caused widespread flooding. There were churches and homes in deep water and people using boats to get around. It’s made thousands of people homeless and jobless.

    A race against the sun setting meant a quick ride back was needed, so was good that the bikes were put together properly! Ended up being 45km and a bit of swimming through the floods required!

    We were back just in time for dinner and now off to bed! Another day of seeing more partners in Bujumbura tomorrow before the ride begins on Wednesday!

    All in all, a very eye opening day with lots of difficult stories from people who have such a heart and love for Burundi and have endless amounts of hope for its future, despite its current desperate situation.    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024
    2Bosco's Story

    Day 3 - Animals, Burundian Style…

    June 4, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Breakfast was with a guy called Innocent - who runs one of GLOs partner organisations. Then to a building own by Scripture union which houses a number of partners. We met a Student ministry team working with students in Burundi to promote reconciliation across the ethnic divide - an organisation which works on restoration in Burundi and hosts radio shows giving legal advice to the poorest - finally we met the team from ICJ led by Bosco. His story is powerful - as a 7 year old his saw most of his family killed in the Burundi genocide, he escaped just and then returned and forgave the killers of his mother. He now leads GLO in Burundi as well as ICJ - see more of his story here. https://www.greatlakesoutreach.org/people/inspi…

    The afternoon was a bit different - a Zoo Burundian interactive style. Stroking Leopards, Holding Crocodiles’ tails and up close with snakes and Chimpanzees!

    A drink overlooking the flooded lake finished the day - and Hippos came up to the edge as dusk approached. Seeing animals in the wild really is the best way. Tomorrow we start cycling!

    “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024
    2

    Day 4 Bujumbura to Matana

    June 5, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    An early start and then off. Through Bujumbura and then up and up - for 4 hours!
    85km and 2100m of climbing. Through some great scenery and some lovely winding declines. Roads generally good and tarmaced but also some unexpected potholes! We had lots of local children cheering us on and sometimes running up the hills with us!

    Now we’re staying in Matana at a hotel which is functional and now we’re at a different hotel to get internet as there is none at ours!

    Met the bishop who Simon has known for many years who served us African tea and Mandazi. He told us how touch things are with 90% unemployment, no fuel, little food and expensive medical care but he carries on regardless. then dinner before a good night sleep before we go again tomorrow!

    For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024
    12

    Day 5 - Matana to Rutana

    June 6, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    An easier cycling day than yesterday . We left at 8am through Matana on beautiful undulating roads. The first stop was the source of the Nile! - you may have heard that the the source is in Uganda or Rwanda but apparently it is actually in Burundi and to prove it a pyramid is build the that emulates the ones in Egypt! Next stop was some hot springs nearby - great for sore legs! Then we got back to riding - the highlight being a 10km downhill section through the the valley really stunning!

    After a bumpy van drive down a long dirt track to our hotel we are greeted to a beautiful hotel with hot showers and WiFi! A very needed snack of chips with chorizo was made and then we hopped back in the pickup and made our way to the waterfalls!

    We were shown to each one by a guide, each unbelievably beautiful! When we saw the biggest one Simon turns to me and says “do we get in? It’s the most powerful water we’d feel” to which I reply “yes!”. So in we got and the feeling under the waterfall was incredible, we were screaming and shouting out of pure excitement but could barely hear each other!

    Back for dinner, a campfire and now to bed!

    “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    To donate to GLO https://www.justgiving.com/page/zachariah-wells…    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024
    1

    Day 6 - Rutana to Ruyigi

    June 7, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Day 3 of cycling started with breakfast and then driving down the lane from our hotel back to the main road. We were in the pick-up so left slightly later than the others. When we got to the main road, we set off trying to catch the others up!

    We met them at Kibiye hospital, which was 20k up the road. There we met some American families that had come to Burundi to work as doctors and train new ones as in 2013 when they came there was only 300 doctors in the country. The hospital was amazing, the facilities they had and the service they provide is incredible, especially in such a rural hospital.

    We then carried on, a further 50k on an undulating that is only 5 years old so was very smooth! The scenery as always was amazing, cycling through the hills and trees, seeing rice, coffee and bananas being grown all around.

    We arrived to the hotel, had a shower (this time cold), had the usual incredible chips as a snack and headed out for a walk around the town! We went to this amazing project with a library, playground and teaching rooms for the children. We then carried on walking around the town, always accompanied by at least 20 children!

    Back for dinner and now bed before a much bigger day of cycling tomorrow!

    “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
    ‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬

    https://www.justgiving.com/page/zachariah-wells…    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024

    Day 7 Ruyini to Cankuzo to Muyinga

    June 8, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    We left Ruyini around 8am. The roads were smooth and undulating and a joy to ride. Just before we got to the national park Zach’s tyre went soft so a new tube was needed. This took slightly longer than than planned! The national park was stunning and a troop of monkeys crossed our path. Then Lewie’s gear cable snapped so another repair stop was needed.

    The climb up to Muyinga was quite brutal, but we made it and settled into our hotel for the evening.

    “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024
    1

    Day 8 - Muyinga to Kirundo to Ngozi

    June 9, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    The longest day of cycling and the most hills! 137km with 2200m of elevation! The first 35k we did as a whole group, long downhills followed by some long uphills. After that we split into two groups, one going straight to the hotel, the other going 34k to Kirundo and back to add another 68k to the day! Obviously dad and I chose the extra 68k! And also to tick off another province of Burundi and see more of its stunning scenery!

    There was so many long downhills which were very enjoyable, until you remembered that we were coming back on the same road so they were soon to be uphills! The scenery was beautiful and after a couple of hours we reached Kirundo, so we turned back knowing what the next 30k was going to look like (well except dad who didn’t realise we were just going straight back!)

    The hills were long. For some reason they feel short when you’re going down them and very very very long when going back up! We had a few breaks on the way, which always attracted a crowd of people, especially when they see 4 white people lying on the side of the road (see photo!). Eventually we made it back to our route after many hills. Only to be greeted by more hills and more dodgy roads! At this point we were all very tired and our legs weren’t moving quite as well as normal. But fortunately we were able to ride in a peloton which made it a bit easier! One last stop where Simon managed to get a group of people to start singing on their way back from church! Before a massive hill up to Ngozi where we were spending the night.

    Food awaited us at the hotel which was very much needed! Before we walked to another hotel down the road where they had a sauna and a massage - which did wonders for the legs!

    Back to the hotel for dinner and now to bed before hopefully a slightly less taxing day tomorrow!

    He made him ride on the heights of the landand fed him with the fruit of the fields. He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag,

    Deuteronomy 32:13    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024
    1

    Day 9 - Ngozi to Gitega

    June 10, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    The penultimate day of the ride promised to be a slightly easier day, although was still 92km! We started by visiting …. who are leading projects to train pastors to have degrees and also leading the police and government in leadership courses. We then had a 20k cycle, mostly downhill to see one of their other projects - an agriculture project and a retirement home for pastors! It was really incredible to see, they started with 1 hectare and now have 18! They grow rice, potatoes, corn and other produce and even let us help dig them up, although I don’t think we helped much!

    We carried on cycling after our visit, another 60k to our “surprise”! The surprise being a cultural experience seeing a king’s palace and the drums!

    We carried on for another 11k, with the last 4 on unmade roads and cobbles which made it a bit slow! We arrived at where we are staying for the night - an orphanage run by YFC Burundi.

    We were welcomed with singing and dancing from the children and given bags with our names on with water and bananas in! We ate and then went to a local school, the one Gaga went to! Also started by YFC, it is one of the best schools in the country!

    We came back for dinner and then had a devotional night with the children and staff at the orphanage before now getting to sleep before the final day back to Bujumbura!

    For the LORD God is a sun and shield: The LORD will give grace and glory: No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11    Read more

  • GLO Burundi Tour 2024

    Day 10 - Gitaga back to Bujumbura

    June 11, 2024 in Burundi ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The last day started with a walk down to see the YFC run primary school where we watched the children arrive and sing the national anthem. We got on our bikes and then cycled back up the 4km unmade road into Gitaga. The road to Bujumbura is the main road between the capital and second city and was expected to be busy and despite the fuel shortage in the country it was the busiest we had seen.

    The first stop was at a memorial to the war where 70 school pupils had been massacred in 1993.

    We carried on to a GLO partner school in Masango, which also has it’s own clinic. It was back on the bikes for the Tour du Burundi race - 4km slightly up hill, the finish line being the first speed bump arrived at. It was no real surprise that Lewie won - powering away from the start with Simon close on his heels. Simon eventually dropped of the pace while Zach and I raced for bronze. Zach pulled away but couldn’t quite catch Simon who took silver.

    We continued up a long and pretty climb through the trees before stopping at a restaurant for some sodas and chips with amazing views.

    The next section was perhaps the best of the tour. 20km downhill into Bujumbura. It started chilly at the top but by the time we reached Bujumbura it was very warm and sticky. The road surface was generally good with some very noticeable exceptions of unmade road sideline appearing! Once down in Bujumbura it was a. 8km ride though the cities busier roads - although the fuel shortage meant the roads were a lot quieter than normal. We arrived back to a warm greeting and iced fruit cocktails, sore, tired but elated to have finished.

    Bikes needed to be disassembled before going to a BBQ with some of the GLO partners.

    Touring Burundi has been amazing. Burundi is a country which has been through so much and still has many problems. But there is hope as we met many exceptional people who are doing their bit to change the society. This may be small projects working with ex prostitutes or it might be big projects which change whole communities, both are necessary for the transformation of the country. GLO is supporting these projects and is doing an amazing job. The money is being spent well and is making a huge difference. If you would still like to give then the link is here. https://www.justgiving.com/page/zachariah-wells…

    “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”
    ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭71‬:‭3‬ ‭    Read more

    Trip end
    June 12, 2024
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