Braving rough terrain and heavy winds on a mission spanning 8,710 kilometres to raise funds for rural African woman, Sarah French and her cycling partner never imagined their efforts would yield $3.2 million.
On May 18, 2015, the 25-year-old Picton woman and her long-time friend 26-year-old Mary Fehr of Leamington hit the open road biking across Canada, beginning in Victoria B.C. and finishing on September 2, 2015 in St.John’s Newfoundland.
Their goal was to raise $150,000 for the GROW – Greater Rural Opportunities for Women – project that empowers female soy bean farmers in Ghana, Africa.
French says they can’t believe they raised $320,000 and with matching funds from various Canadian government incentives it has flourished into a multi-million dollar contribution.
The PECI grad says it was through her post Carleton University experience interning with MEDA in Nicaragua that she took on a seven month project focusing on sustainable development and agriculture. It was there that she soon realized she wanted to do more to help women in less developed countries.
French says 100 per cent of the funds will be donated with the majority going towards educating farmers in northern Ghana.
French says it was her first hand knowledge of those struggles that drove her throughout her quest to complete the 100 kilometre a day journey.
About five days into their expedition the women would conquer the Coquihalla summit commonly known as Highway Thru Hell on the Discovery Channel television show.
French says strong head winds were the most challenging to overcome adding during the scenic ride through the Prairies the force would often push her off her bike into the ditch.
French says it was the overwhelming generosity of Canadians that will resonate with her always. She recalls when she and Fehr lost their tent poles valued at $300 on the Kettle Valley Rail in BC. She says they backtracked 20 kilometres and still could not find them. To their surprise complete strangers drove 40 kilometres out of their way to deliver the poles that the girls had lost.
French and Fehr are getting set for yet another trip this November.
This time the pair will be flying to Ghana for two weeks where they will have the opportunity to meet the farmers they are helping.
French says she is eager to meet and talk to the families, plus see their yields as the harvest season will be just wrapping up.
As for another cycling trip in the near future, one isn’t planned just yet but French says she would cycle across Europe or the United States in a heartbeat.
French adds she is extremely thankful to all of the community donors, County residents, Quinte area businesses and the Rotary Club of Picton for their generosity.
On Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Picton awarded French with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. It’s the club’s highest honour bestowed upon a person who demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the Rotary Foundation.