Teacher revs up for bike run to Ghana
Damien Ryan, who teaches at Sexton Street CBS, plans to buy books and school uniforms from money raised by the charity he has set up, Oideachas San Afraic — Education in Africa.
Damien, 25, said: “I have travelled extensively in Africa during my summer holidays. Last summer I was in Malawi and discovered in one school they did not teach maths or science.
“I had raised about €1,500 and went out to local book suppliers and bought the necessary books for the school.
“I try and spend any money raised locally to keep it in the local economy.” He has now made contact with three schools in Ghana and plans to fund more education projects there.
He said: “All the money I raise will go directly on education facilities such as books and uniforms in the schools. I am paying all my own expenses.”
Damien, who lives at Ashbrooke Garden, plans to set off on his BMW F650 machine in the second week of July.
He said: “I will be away about six weeks. My journey on the bike will take me through Ireland, France, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast and finally Ghana.”
Damien plans to sell his bike and return by bus, rail and ferry.
A number of motorbike suppliers in the Limerick area have offered him a set of the special tyres he will need and other accessories such as side boxes for the bike.
Damien said: “I would like to hear from any people who have relatives or friends living in the countries I will travel through on my way to Ghana and I would like to bring Munster flags or county flags to these people to raise funds for the project.”
“I hope to raise a few thousand euro to buy books and hopefully some uniforms,” he said.
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