DUBAI // Hundreds of schoolchildren, staff and parents are cycling the distance from Dubai to Johannesburg in a challenge to help four pupils undertake environmental and wildlife research projects in South Africa.
Pedalling on exercise bikes in the foyer of the Dubai British School (DBS), enthusiastic youngsters set about the arduous 6,000-kilometre “Cycle to South Africa” challenge on Sunday. The money raised will help to support the students and a teacher in a project this summer at Kruger National Park and Sodwana Bay. They should reach their target by Thursday.
“It can get the whole school and the community involved so the children and their parents will know where we are headed and it will help raise awareness,” said David Wright, a humanities teacher accompanying the students in June.
“We have kept a goal of 1,200km per bike per day in order to hit the distance. Teachers and parents will also be part of the challenge. If we do raise money, we aim for it to go towards research and to preserve the long-term future of the species.”
The project at Kruger is part of a scientific study to estimate the number of elephants in the area and research how to sustain them. At Sodwana Bay, the students will scuba dive to monitor the reef for the Indian Ocean Reef Ecology Programme.
The research projects will provide students with opportunities before university. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience because in Sodwana Bay the study is part of marine biology and I’m a fan of biology, that’s what I want to take at university,” said Cameron Murray, 18.
“So to observe the fish, understand how to preserve the habitat and the fish, will be very interesting. Our school is a tight-knit community so the support has been good. People are helping out in any way they can.”
The cycle challenge is one of the main fundraising events, with participants paying Dh5 each for a slot on a bike, and the chance to win raffle prizes such as a three-month gym membership or a personal trainer.
“We’ve got other school events, such as a big environmental day in June where we’re recycling and shredding paper,” said Pratyusha Majumder, 16.
“This experience is of a different value, it’s immeasurable and will stay with me forever. Even if you don’t go into the field of ecology or biology, we are hoping to contribute to the community by being part of a bigger project.”
Samantha Jones, 17, said: “It’s amazing for us because we are doing something with the scientists who work there all year round.
“The fundraising has been hard but we are committed to just help contribute something. At Kruger our main objective will be to find out how many elephants can be in one national park without being destructive to the area.”
On Sunday during a race, students and teachers clocked up a total of 825km, with some reaching 30km, beating the average 3-5km distance others had cycled earlier. “Students spend a lot of time within the confines of a curriculum and in exam preparation, so this is a very important perspective to give them about other countries and other communities,” said principal Mark Ford.
“The whole school is behind the five of them going to South Africa and it has created a nice atmosphere throughout the school and among the staff. It will be a rich and rewarding experience.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae