A Dutch couple cycled through 21 countries while raising awareness and funds for Where Rainbows Meet, a non-profit organisation (NPO) in Vrygrond.
Mymoena Scholtz, founder of the NPO, says she was surprised when she received a word from Jan Willem van Dalen and his partner Nantje to say they were on the road to Cape Town.
“I was quite shocked and surprised when I received an email to say they were already cycling and fund raising.
“I was truly humbled by something so selfless that they would do towards humanity. When I saw them arriving on Wednesday (17 May), it was raining and they were soaking wet and I could just hug them but had no words to say.
“So I just want to say thank you, it is just so amazing that they would do something like this for the organisation and us as a society.”
The couple has a soft spot for the organisation after their daughter interned at Where Rainbow Meets a decade ago.
“A lot of international volunteers come to the organisation when they need to do their internships.
“Their daughter Aranka van Dalen chose where Rainbows Meet and made contact with us 10 years ago. She did international business development and she was very vibrant, young and experienced in her field.
The couple said the adventure was a long time coming.
“We had the idea for a long time and we always cycle to Europe and other countries. We wanted to make a long trip which most people do when they are retired.
“After 10 years of retirement, the idea came that we could do it now and while we are still fit,” said Nantje.
According to Jan, they cycled through 21 countries. “We started in the middle of September, so we have been on the road for seven to eight months. We cycled 13 300 km.”
The duo added that they felt “fantastic” completing the journey.
“Some days we did feel a little ill but not too much, we felt extremely safe and we travelled through all the African countries”.
They cycled with a tent for camping at night although they also used guest houses, lodges, camp sites and they couch surfed and stayed with local people.
The trip was not always pleasant, especially with high temperatures and no shade. “It was also very hot on the road, so I became unwell and had anemia during the trip and there was totally no shade.
“Luckily a car stopped and the people gave me water and we could go to a place where there was shade. We waited an hour and a half to cool down and then caught a lift to the next place; we survived,” said Nantje.
The pair agreed that their destination would be Where Rainbows Meet because of their daughter.
“Our eldest daughter was here nine or ten years ago. So when we decided to cycle here in Africa then of course we felt that Rainbows in Cape Town should be our destination.
