Cycling4Gaza, an international initiative founded in the wake of the 22-day war on Gaza in 2008-2009, took place from December 8-10 in Jordan. This is the second cycling function to be organized in Jordan by Welfare Association for Youth (WAY) and Cycling4Gaza in cooperation with the Jerusalem Forum.

Cycling4Gaza and WAY hosted two cycling events in Jordan to raise awareness and money for the same cause. The first event which included 26 international cyclists completed a grueling 3-day, 350 km cycling challenge along the Dead Sea road. The challenge began in Aqaba on December 8, and ended at the Dead Sea on December 10, with stops in Wadi Feynan, and Wadi Mujib on the way. The second, held on Friday December 9, was a 15 km cycle event along the Dead Sea with lunch and entertainment at the Mövenpick.

 Proceeds collected by WAY from Cycling4Gaza initiative this year (around JOD24,000) will go to support mentally and physically disabled children, particularly those injured in the 2009 conflict, through the Welfare Association’s Gaza based rehabilitation programme.

Three projects will be supported: The National Society for Rehabilitation in Khan Younis and Rafah will support 650 children with disabilities; the Society for the Care of the Handicapped in the Gaza Strip, ‘Sun Centre Children’s Club’ will support 180 children; and the Nour El Marifa Association, ‘Friendly Learning Spaces’, will support 250 children with special needs and learning difficulties from some of the most impoverished areas in the middle of Gaza.

The mission of the initiative is to raise awareness of the continued suffering of people in Gaza, and to raise essential funds for reputable charities working in the fields of education and health care. This is done through mobilizing individuals from all over the world in an annual international cycling challenge.  The ultimate goal is for the cycle to eventually reach Gaza.

Since its foundation, Cycling4Gaza’s portfolio has continuously grown, having already completed two cycling challenges, including London to Paris in 2009 (which raised £90,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians) and Pisa to Rome in 2010 (which raised £130,000 for the Welfare Association).  The last event has inspired the Welfare Association for Youth (WAY) in Amman to organize their first annual local cycling event in Jordan in October 2010.

Fadi Nashashibi, from the Welfare Association for Youth, added: “our team of volunteers has given so generously of their ideas, their resources, and their time towards organizing the Friday cycle. We know that with every cyclist and donor, we are getting closer to reaching our goal. Together, we will raise awareness and move people to action towards rebuilding Gaza. We will fund 3 important projects that directly impact 1080 children.

”Nabil Tarazi, one of the six local cyclists participating in the 350 km challenge spoke of his pride of what has been accomplished to date: “In Jordan, we have been able to raise around 25,000 JD through various fundraising events.  This has brought the total raised thus far from around the world to just over 110,000 JD.  We still need all support we can get to reach our target of 220,000 JD.” 

This year’s events were sponsored by Bank of Palestine, AYTB, Cycling Jordan and Jordan Hospital.