David and Elena's KARABAN Charity Adventure
KARABAN Charity Adventure
TRAVEL INFO
1 Years
12000 Km
19 Countries
INTERVIEW
We asked David & Elena : Introduce yourself.
They said: We are David and Elena, the founders of KARABAN.
I am David, born in Andorra la Vella in 1985. I am an adventurer and always looking for new challenges. My camera accompanies me and helps me to get to know the world we live in.
And I am Elena, born in Barcelona in 1992. I am captivated by the feeling of freedom that comes with travelling by bicycle and how its slow pace brings you closer to the people you meet along the way. My bike has accompanied me to different countries around the world and, while pedalling, I have come to understand that the true journey lies in the journey itself, not in the destination
Question: What is your goal of travel ?
They said: When you experience first-hand an NGO like Kings & Queens of Kibera, something within you ignites. Witnessing how a small project can bring about such significant changes in a context as complex as Nairobi’s suburbs is inspiring. Then, your mind looks for ways to support the cause and push it onward. In our case, three years ago we began paving the way to collaborate with Kings & Queens of Kibera. That path turned into the challenge of cycling in a caravan of bicycles all the way to Kenya, aiming to rally as many people as possible for
this 12,000km journey.
Question: What are the difficulties you face?
They said: KARABAN consists of pedalling and pedalling a lot! Some parts of the trip have been quite a challenge to cycle through, especially crossing the country of Namibia. The biggest challenge was the southern part of the country, with long stretches of dirt roads, arid and sandy paths that stretch for hundreds of kilometres without any sign of settlements or places to restock
Question: Is money an obstacle to financing the trip and how do you proceed?
They said: KARABAN is a fundraising project, but all the funds we receive are exclusively destined to support the project. All our personal expenses during the trip are covered by our own savings.
We would say that the most expensive part of travelling by bicycle is getting the gear. We already had most of the gear needed for the adventure, which made it easier to cope with the costs of preparing the trip. Regarding the trip itself, it’s one year on the road and we try to proceed by sticking to a low budget and trying to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Question: What are your dreams and plans for the future?
They said: We have many dreams and ideas, whether it is a long-distance hike, learning new things, like a ranger education in Africa or traveling the world with a dog & children. But right now, the only thing we wish for ourselves is staying healthy and having as much time as possible to travel the world by bike.
Question: Tell us about KARABAN bike?
They said: KARABAN aims to pedal from Andorra to Kenya in the form of a bicycle caravan, a challenge of 12,000km to support the NGO Kings & Queens of Kibera. It’s a small NGO located in the heart of the slums of Nairobi that we know firsthand and we strongly believe in the impact of their actions, as we have seen firsthand the positive outcomes.
They host children that live in the streets and in very vulnerable situations and they provide them with a home, schooling, balanced meals, and continuous support into and through adulthood. They fight against a great injustice and through the KARABAN challenge we are pedalling to give our support so that they can continue offering a future with greater opportunities to these children living in very complex situations.
On KARABAN’s departure day in September 2023 we were over 20 people cycling together.
Since then, 11 KARABAN bikers have joined and cycled with KARABAN for a good cause.
As of today, we have 3,000km ahead of us to reach our goal: Kibera!
Question: What are your dreams and plans for the future ?
They said: We are focusing our minds and dedicating all our energy to the present, aiming to reach Kenya with our bicycles. We continue working hard on the project to achieve our goal and our charitable mission. We are in the heart of Africa, developing and working on this project—something most likely won’t happen again. For this reason, we want to be a part of the places we travel through, connect with their people, and to be fully present in the moment. When we go back home, we’ll have to get back to work and think about future plans again. However, it’s possible that new challenges in KARABAN may arise. That’s all we can share for now 😉
Question: What are your tips for those who want to try travelling by bike ?
They said: Weshare with you some tips that have made and continue to make our journey easier.
● Before setting out, go on a two-day trip to test your gear and equipment. Space, weight, etc.
● Take an interest in learning the mechanics of your bike, as it can get you out of trouble in remote places where help may not be readily available
● Plan your trip and itinerary thoroughly. Research information about the country you’re visiting, connect with those who have already travelled the route for recommendations, and once there, engage with locals to gain deeper insights into the area.
● Plan your routes well and set daily goals. Plans always change, but it’s good to have objectives.
● If you are on a long trip, go for small achievements. In this sense, we’ve structured the KARABAN adventure in segments of 1,000 km. Celebrating the completion of each segment renews our energy for the next, making it feel as if the counter is reset. Small goals gradually bring us closer to the final objective.
● When camping, especially when wild camping, aim to arrive during daylight hours to assess your chosen spot.
● Beopentounexpected events and always use common sense
Question: What is your motivational message for our followers?
They said: When you travel by bicycle, you’re not a tourist, you are a traveller with your home on your
back. Venture out and spin those pedals, because your bicycle will take you to unimaginable places, provide you with unforgettable experiences and allow you to meet wonderful people along the way.
