Cycling the Sian Ka’An

Biosphere Reserve

The objectives of our fundraiser was to raise money for two of the schools we had been
working with in Playa del Carmen. Here, we were cycling to raise money for particular
things that the schools needed that were in line with our partner’s objectives and the
Sustainable Development Goals. Our objective was to raise enough money to buy a stove,
solar panels, paint and maintenance equipment. These items are necessary to make
improvements to the schools, which run alongside the sustainable development goals of
zero hunger, good health and well-being and affordable and clean energy.
On the 6th December twelve volunteers took
part in a fundraising event to raise money for
our partner school in Playa del Carmen,
Fundacion Contando Con un Amigo. Due to GVI
moving bases to Puerto Morelos volunteers
wanted to raise money for the school before
leaving. Specifically, aiming to raise money for
two solar panels to provide power for the
school and a large stove to assist them with
making their daily breakfast for the children.
Money was also raised for Save the Children,
as volunteers were moving on from working in
the Ludoteca in Playa del Carmen. Here, raising
money for painting, equipment and
maintenance on the air conditioning units, so
that more comfortable classrooms can be
provided for the children.
To raise money participants shared links through Global Giving fundraising page to family
and friends to sponsor them to cycle the 37km on the Sian Ka’An Biosphere Reserve.
Fundraisers headed out on the 6th December oblivious to the challenge that lay ahead of
them. The ride lasted between three and a half and five hours for the group, battling
through the treacherous terrain of jungle road, however the beautiful surroundings
helped to get through it!
The chosen things to raise money for link to GVI partner’s objectives and goals, within the
projects and also with the Sustainable Development goals. By raising money for the stove
donors are contributing to the sustainable development goal of Zero hunger. At Fundacion
Contando Con un Amigo school the children are provided with a breakfast meal every day,
this is vital as for many of the children this is the only proper meal that they get in a day.
With the provision of a stove, the process is made much easier for those cooking the
meals and also gives more opportunity for different and better meals to be made. The
fundraising for the stove also helps towards the sustainable development goal of Good
health and well-being. With the availability of a stove it makes it easier for home cooked,
nutritionally balanced meals to be made and therefore will contribute positively to the
children´s health.
Raising money for the solar panels links to the sustainable development goal of providing
Affordable and clean energy. The school electricity was already run by solar panels but
there was not always enough power to keep running fans and refrigerators, sometimes
making food to get bad in the fridge, and this is why they are in need of more solar panels.
In total there were £1305 raised and this will provide these items to the school and should
hopefully make the children’s experience at their schools more enjoyable and give them a
better and more comfortable learning environment.