Bruce Troughton's Epic Fundraising Ride for Bangladeshi Schools

Do you know of any Kiwi parent who has ever been asked for bribes to get their child into the local public primary school?

Some years ago in Bangladesh, Bishu Chowdhuri realised there were many children playing in his neighbourhood during normal school hours. When he made inquiries he found these were poor children who could not get into the local public school, because their parents could not afford the bribes they were required to pay.

Bishu & his wife Vijaya decided to do something about this. They found a young woman who could teach these children, a room for the class to study in — and so started the first village school. Since then another 11 village schools have also started — offering basic education for about 500 children who would otherwise have no opportunity for education.

Bruce Troughton is embarking on a 530 km bicycle adventure up the middle of the North Island from Wellington to Tauranga during the week prior to Christmas which will help support getting basic education for more of these children that the Chowdhuri’s relate too. He's hoping to raise enough for two new schools.

The ride will take him 6 days to make his way up country, meeting different people who have said they will put him up for the night. What he's put together and has been training for around the roads of Wellington, is an innovative “Kiwi’s can do it” way to support others who don’t have the same resources as available to New Zealander’s.

To find out more, or to support Bruce, see Bruce's fundraising page online.

Alternatively, you can track Bruce's progress online.