Some children had dropped out of school and embarked on a street life with no hope for a better future due to various circumstances. But when Twin Lakes Cycling Academy (TLCA) started operations in 2019, it took them out of streets, made them fall in love with cycling and returned them to school. They now dream of not becoming great cyclists but also the best they can in various careers. Founded by Florent Nsengumuremyi, the academy came to life with the aim of providing former street children in Rwanda access to education, hope and a better future through cycling. The academy provides a supportive environment where children can thrive academically while developing life skills in various sports and cycling in particular. Since its inception, TLCA has been offering children from underprivileged families the opportunity to become cyclists on the condition that they return to school. Now, through its Ride for Education program, the academy earlier this week received £5,000 (approximately Rwf8.8 million) from UK-based charity initiative Black Unity Bike Ride to implement their cause. The funds received are half of a financial support of £10,000 (Rwf17.6 million) from a fundraiser that members of Black Unity Bike Ride organized when they visited the academy in Musanze District during their Rwanda tour back in May. ALSO READ: How African diaspora is using cycling tourism for noble cause According to Nsengumuremyi, the funds handed over to his academy in the first phase will be utilized to support high school students, both returning and newly enrolled, ensuring they have the necessary resources for a successful academic year. Additionally, part of the funds will be allocated to housekeeping needs for primary day school students, helping to improve their learning environment. “Through the love of cycling, kids are able to go back to school. We had challenges of paying school fees and materials, uniforms for our children at the academy but with the funding that we received, we got all the necessary needs for them to go to school,” Nsengumuremyi told Times Sport. “On behalf of the academy, I thank Black Unity Bike Ride for their support, for supporting the cause,” he added. Meanwhile, the academy is expected to receive the second phase of funding which will mainly focus on enhancing its cycling program. It will be used for purchasing new bikes, organizing training camps, and supporting the involvement of primary school students in cycling activities, thus promoting physical fitness and sportsmanship alongside education. The partnership with Black Unity Bike Ride aligns with the academy’s vision of creating opportunities for underserved youth through both education and cycling. “We may not be on the pace we want in implementing initiatives aimed at empowering these children but, when partners like Black Unity Bike Ride and others pledge to support our cause, we hope to achieve more and extend the initiative to more children,” he noted. So far 12 children at Twin Lakes Cycling Academy have returned to school through its “Ride For Education” program. ‘We want to see more children go back to school,” Nsengumuremyi said. Beyond education, the academy’s children participate in various cycling competitions, especially those happening in holidays, not forgetting international cycling races. Twin Lakes as a cycling club represented Rwanda in the African Youth Cycling championship held in Egypt and went on to strike gold. Tags: Education, Street children, Cycling
