GLO Burundi Tour 2024

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