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Youths cycle through the continent for poverty
2008-05-07 16:02:27.000
Philippe Murphy is young, and he's restless for change.
That's why Murphy, along with 24 other youths from across Canada, will ride their bikes from Vancouver to Tijuana, Mexico later this month to raise money for Global Agents for Change, a youth-run non-profit organization that's building a microcredit fund to help people around the world break the cycle of poverty.
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to the unemployed, poor entrepreneurs and others living in poverty.
Murphy, 21, who lives in Mississauga, said the group wants to help those in need kick-start their own businesses to generate income.
“I looked into the cause...to see how it (fundraiser) will benefit people,” Murphy said. “Ever since I travelled to Africa last year, I have been interested in development and how it can help people.”
The York University student said that when he heard Global Agents for Change's philosophy, he decided to take part in the gruelling, 19-day ride.
“There are lots of organizations who give a one-time handout — a house or money,” said Murphy. “But there's a shift happening now with respect to sustainability. I believe the gift should not just last one lifetime; it should help generations...”
During the ride, Murphy and his group plan to stop in many communities and educate people on the concept of microcredit and how it can help alleviate poverty.
Global Agents for Change is working closely with Kiva Microfunds, a San Francisco organization that allows people to lend money via the internet to small businesses in developing countries.
Murphy said the group's itinerary includes visiting a community in Mexico where microcredit has been used.
Last year, Murphy and three of his friends were in Benin, in West Nigeria, as part of a Canada World Youth program. It was there that Murphy figured out that he wanted to be able to do more to help people in need.
The foursome visited a local school to volunteer. The principal welcomed the group, had his staff meet Murphy and his friends and then asked them if they could teach.
Murphy and his friends hesitated.
The principal asked if they could build classrooms.
Again, they shook their heads.
“I realized we had no skillsets that would help the school,” Murphy recalled. “It wasn't as if we belonged to Doctors Without Borders or we were part of Habitat for Humanity. All we were capable of was an exchange of ideas...”
As part of his fundraising efforts, Murphy is holding a garage sale this Saturday (May 10) at his home, at 5280 Fallingbrook Dr.
For more information, visit www.micro.thon.givemeaning.com or www.globalafc.org.
rpanjwani@mississauga.net
That's why Murphy, along with 24 other youths from across Canada, will ride their bikes from Vancouver to Tijuana, Mexico later this month to raise money for Global Agents for Change, a youth-run non-profit organization that's building a microcredit fund to help people around the world break the cycle of poverty.
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to the unemployed, poor entrepreneurs and others living in poverty.
Murphy, 21, who lives in Mississauga, said the group wants to help those in need kick-start their own businesses to generate income.
“I looked into the cause...to see how it (fundraiser) will benefit people,” Murphy said. “Ever since I travelled to Africa last year, I have been interested in development and how it can help people.”
The York University student said that when he heard Global Agents for Change's philosophy, he decided to take part in the gruelling, 19-day ride.
“There are lots of organizations who give a one-time handout — a house or money,” said Murphy. “But there's a shift happening now with respect to sustainability. I believe the gift should not just last one lifetime; it should help generations...”
During the ride, Murphy and his group plan to stop in many communities and educate people on the concept of microcredit and how it can help alleviate poverty.
Global Agents for Change is working closely with Kiva Microfunds, a San Francisco organization that allows people to lend money via the internet to small businesses in developing countries.
Murphy said the group's itinerary includes visiting a community in Mexico where microcredit has been used.
Last year, Murphy and three of his friends were in Benin, in West Nigeria, as part of a Canada World Youth program. It was there that Murphy figured out that he wanted to be able to do more to help people in need.
The foursome visited a local school to volunteer. The principal welcomed the group, had his staff meet Murphy and his friends and then asked them if they could teach.
Murphy and his friends hesitated.
The principal asked if they could build classrooms.
Again, they shook their heads.
“I realized we had no skillsets that would help the school,” Murphy recalled. “It wasn't as if we belonged to Doctors Without Borders or we were part of Habitat for Humanity. All we were capable of was an exchange of ideas...”
As part of his fundraising efforts, Murphy is holding a garage sale this Saturday (May 10) at his home, at 5280 Fallingbrook Dr.
For more information, visit www.micro.thon.givemeaning.com or www.globalafc.org.
rpanjwani@mississauga.net