One year later!

One year ago today, Vern Hyde, Mark Bishop and Ken Wallace embarked on an epic journey to ride their bikes across Canada. Their goal was to create a Chain Reaction across Canada to raise funds to build a school in the rural community of Gindo, Ethiopia.

Now, the school is complete!

The children are attending daily, and are very grateful for the new center. We recently asked some of the children for their thoughts about the new center and the program, and this is what they had to say:

"I am very happy, and I like the new center. The old center classrooms were very small, and there were no adequate materials such as chairs and tables. But here in the new center, everything is great!"

Tamirat, age 13

"It is very nice to be here. The compound is big enough to play. We had been taking baths in a plastic shelter, but now we have a nice bathroom with tap water."

Tesfalem, age 8

"Before I was not attending school because there was no one to help. I was born and grew up in Nazreth, and came here after I lost my parents. Now with the help of the project I am following my regular education. The project covers all my school expenses including uniform and shoes. I was having very old and broken shoes, but now the project bought to me new shoes. I am eating at the center, and that is very good..."

Biruk, age 10

Canadian Humanitarian and the Riders would like to thank you so much for making this school a reality. Everyone involved in moving the chain reaction forward has helped to change the lives of children in Ethiopia.

The new building has provided Canadian Humanitarian with enhanced space to impact the lives of children, their families, and their community.

Just a few months ago, the school was turned into a clinic for 3 days, and many children and their guardians received medical check-ups from Canadian volunteer physicians.  The community library is growing, as books are brought from Canad or purchased locally. Many more activities have also been improved.

As the activities at the center increase, and the impact on the lives of the children is deepened, ongoing funds are needed.

Keep the Chain Reaction rolling! Sponsor a child, or make a donation!

Your investment will help these children succeed and break out of the cycle of poverty.

The Giving Continues: Georgia H.

Georgia is 8 years old and lives in Medicine Hat. She and her mother rode with the chain reaction ride out to echo dale park when they came through medicine hat in may. She was so determined to help that when she came home, she made a donation box and canvassed the entire neighborhood asking for donations!!! She even set up a stand and sold some of her art. Thank you Georgia for raising 42.75 for the school. Every small thing really touches our hearts and goes a long way to he other children who are less fortunate

WE MADE IT!!

There was a mix of emotions as we finnished our journey on Friday we wanted to share a few pictures as the end of our journey unfolded at the Atlantic!

Thank for joining us on this amazing journey.  This trip was an amazing experience that has changed our lives.  But this journey from the beginning has been about helping to change the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia.

These children are looking up to us to help them reach their potential through education!  Please make a doantion today to make their school a reality.  Donate Today!

Day 60: Truro to Halifax

THE LAST 100 KM's.

What an emotional day. The weather forecast said rain all day, but we woke to a beautiful sunshiny day!  This was the most emotional ride of the trip. We were so excited, and yet so sad that it was almost over.

I found myself laughing one moment, and crying the next. Such a weird day that way.

We are so amazed that we accomplished such a HUGE task! But we did it. We actually made it.  We rode 6,300 km across the most beautiful country on earth, and at the same time the most punishing and grueling terrain you could ever imagine.

Each day we battled the elements, be it snow, rain, thunder and lightning, extreme heat... We battled the hills, the tough roads, the big semi trailer trucks, the wandering motor-homers, the texting teens.

We navigated our way through the country and managed to find the little FrenchFry and Poutine stands, the corner stores and the quiet roads. And even though it proved to be the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives, we loved every minute of it and will cherish the memories for the rest of our lives.

Thank you so much to everyone who supported us each and every day. We love you!

We still need to reach our goal of $250,000 and hope we have proved to the world that we really want to make a difference to the children in Ethiopia.

Let's all dig just a little deeper and make a contribution to help make it happen!

Day 58: Shediac to Amherst, and on to Truro!

Today the weather was perfect! When we looked at the weather report, it showed lots of rain for Thursday, so we decided to double up and do two days in one - because our bodies were used to that distance anyway.

So away we went!

We made it to Nova Scotia, Amherst, and then rode a side highway to Truro.

A cool church in downtown Amherst

Amherst had some cute houses!

But the highlight of the day by far was meeting up with a young man we met back in Revelstoke, BC, who was biking across the country. His name is Anthony.  It was an awesome reunion.

Love you Anthony! You rock buddy. He is totally self-supported and some great stories were shared by all.

This was the very first Bicycle Rest Stop we have encountered. It had picnic tables, bathrooms, and everything!

It's hard to believe we are now 100 km's within our destination of Halifax!

We will take tomorrow off, and finish our last leg of the journey on Friday.

Wow! I think we are going to actually make it folks!
One riding day left, unbelievable. 

Remember, always wear your sunscreen.

You've heard of truck stops... Well this is the first bicycle rest stop we ever came across in all of Canada... Equipped with a picnic table, guest book, garbage can and grassy area to stretch !!

Day 57: Kouchibouguac to Shediac

Today we rode to Shediac, which is a stone's throw from Moncton.

The Lobster Monument in Shediac

We rode 78 km's in the morning, and spent the rest of the day shopping and visiting friends in Moncton. We were invited to supper at Aaron and Colleen Budd's home, where we met their beautiful little daughter Mitike.

Thank you Aaron and Colleen for your hospitality!!

We drove back to Shediac in just enough time to catch a beautiful sunset at the Marina.

T-minus 267 km to Halifax and counting folks!!

This, as far as you can see down the road, is 5 kms.  We have traveled this distance 1200 times already!

Day 56: Bathurst to Kouchibouguac National Park

Hey folks! Today we woke up to a beautiful day

And rode to within 80 km of Moncton!

This is what a nice, relaxing ride looks like.

It was just a nice awesome ride today.

We met Brian and Kristy from Vancouver, who had come to visit family in the area. Awesome couple.
Hope to visit with them again one day in Vancouver!

We also crossed the Miramichi bridge.

It has an amazing view from the top.

T-minus 345 km to Halifax!!!

Day 55: Val-Brillant to Bathurst

Today we got up early and pounded out 219.6 km's  - and ended up right near Bathurst, New Brunswick.

The town we saw in Quebec

The theme for the day was 'fishing'.  Everywhere we looked, we saw people fly-fishing in the "Salmon River" for - you guess it - salmon!

We saw some old covered bridges, and said goodbye to Quebec, and hello to New Brunswick!

500 km's till Halifax!

Day 54: Riviere Du Loup to Val-Brillant

What a day!

Rode from Riviere du Loup right past Rimouski, and on to Val-Brillant.

It ended up being 201 kms.

Along the way, we rode along the St Lawrence seaway for the last time before we turned inland towards New Brunswick.

We saw ships, seaside churches, beautiful countryside, and huge thunderstorm activity all around us (we only had about 1.5 hours in the rain).

We even ran across a flock of sheep in a town called Mont-Joli, which we helped to heard up the hill.

A great day!

And now the countdown to Halifax begins. The "t-minus countdown now begins folks!  T-minus 700 km from here to Halifax!!"