Students Cycling 3,000 Miles for Mali and Music
16 September 2010
Mikaela Parrack (BA Development Studies and South Asian Studies 2012) and Imran Khan, who has studied music at SOAS, don't believe in doing things halfway. Though neither has done any long-distance cycling before, they have just set out on a 3,000-mile bike ride from the UK to Mali.
Mikaela and Imran, who recently became engaged, are both musicians. They aim to blog about their adventures, post audio clips of West African music they hear along the way and raise money for a Malian charity.
Imran, a finger-style guitarist, said his passion for Malian music inspired the trip. Mikaela, who took the same route last summer under less arduous conditions (she drove), said she is hoping to write detailed blogs whilst they travel, and compile tips to help other travellers planning similar trips. They set off on their adventure on Wednesday, 15 September.
"It will be a challenge, but we are as prepared as we can be, and to raise funds for the Joliba Trust serves only to increase the incentive to reach Mali,” she said.
Mikaela, who is a singer, added that she will enjoy experiencing the music of Mali and is looking forward to visiting its famous music festival, Festival Au Desert, in January.
The cycling trip is a fundraiser for the Joliba Trust, a Malian charity which supports grassroots development work with farming and cattle-raising communities. The charity's projects range from midwife training to soil regeneration projects that support communities suffering the crippling effects of desertification.
"This couple is really remarkable," said Caroline Hart, the trust's founder. "Cycling from the UK, including across the Sahara, to the heart of West Africa does sound impossible, but they have the character to make the unachievable happen. We should all follow this extraordinary journey and wish them well.”
For further information, contact:
William Friar
Communications Officer
+44 (0)20 7898 4135 | w.friar@soas.ac.uk
