By Richard Scott
For a lot of people, the drive down to Rocky Point is a relaxing start for a beach weekend. This February 8th and 9th, cyclists will challenge themselves on this same open road from Peoria, Arizona to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico in the 207Miles Bike Event, determined to do something about poverty close to home.
Begun in 2010, this annual event supports 1Mission, an Arizona nonprofit group that empowers community members to build their own homes while helping their neighbors do the same. Together, with volunteers from the U.S., houses are built in as little as 3 days.
What makes this program unique? “We create opportunities for people to solve their own problems,” says Pedro Tapia, coordinator for 1Mission in Mexico. A house is earned through community service, and working on projects chosen locally. “Volunteers help with the immunization program, work towards education certificates, and do composting and other work to establish community gardens in the San Rafael and Nuevo Peñasco neighborhoods.”
This year cyclists finish day one in Ajo, AZ where those who choose will be driven back to the Phoenix area. The rest will spend the night, then push on the next morning, completing their ride at 1Missions’ base camp near Rocky Point (approximately 10 miles North of Puerto Peñasco along the Sonoyta – Puerto Peñasco highway). Though it’s not a race, riders will be in groups based on average speed. Support (accommodations, food, and transportation) is being provided throughout the journey.
With over a billion people worldwide without decent housing, why the focus on Puerto Peñasco? “We use the example of the Good Samaritan,” says Tapia. “Who is your neighbor?, Who do I help? 1Mission is here because we feel Mexico is our neighbor”.
More than 100 cyclists in the 207miles ride will be on the road February 8th and 9th, and more volunteers, sponsors, and donations are welcome.
For more information on 207miles, as well as 1Mission, contact 1mission.org or 207Miles.com tel:602.501.6672 Info@207miles.com
207 millas contra la pobreza
Por Richard Scott
Para muchas personas, viajar por la carretera a Puerto Peñasco es el empiezo de un fin de semana relajante. Este fin de semana, los días 8 y 9 de febrero, hay un grupo de ciclistas que enfrentarán el reto de pasar por este mismo camino, cruzando 207 millas en bicicleta desde Peoria, AZ hasta Puerto Peñasco. Los participantes en este evento anual están determinados en hacer algo contra la pobreza que se encuentra tan cerca a casa.
El evento, organizado por primera vez en 2010, apoya las actividades de 1Mission, un grupo sin fines de lucro basado en Arizona que empodera a miembros de la comunidad en construir sus propias casas mientras ayudan a sus vecinos hacer lo mismo. Juntos, y con voluntarios de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, logran construir casas a veces en solo 3 días.
¿Que es lo que le hace único este programa? Pedro Tapia, Coordinador de 1Mission en México comenta, “Creamos oportunidades para que la gente resuelva sus propios problemas.” Una casa se gana por medio de servicio comunitario y trabajando en proyectos locales. “Los voluntarios ayudan con programas de inmunización, se dedican a lograr certificados de educación, y participan en programas de compostaje y otros trabajos para establecer jardines comunitarias en las colonias de San Rafael y Nuevo Peñasco.”
Este año, alrededor de 100 ciclistas terminarán el primer día del viaje en Ajo donde pernoctarán los que al otro día seguirán el camino hacía Puerto Peñasco, llegando al área de 1Mission alrededor de las 10:30 a.m.
Mayores informes referente al evento 207miles: www.207miles.com y de 1Mission.org: tel:602.501.6672 Info @ 207miles.com