Having visited Zambia in 2009 and witnessing the great programs Eagles Wings is running, I wanted to be involved further in supporting their programs. Break the Cycle is a great way to do this. Having only bought a bike recently, it is a big challenge both physically and mentally for me but I am looking forward to it.

Reid and I have spent a lot of time in Africa and especially Zambia over the last few years and poverty and injustice have become a lot more personal to me. Break the Cycle is about my family. I am excited about the Break the Cycle journey and drawing attention to the injustices that my Zambian family face every day. Because it's not right that we have so much while many of them struggle to survive.

I cannot help but help. I have worked in the Southern African region for about ten years now, and during that time I have seen too much suffering, too much injustice and too many children left to fend for themselves on the streets without a home. My brother gave me the inspiration to help coordinate such an event that involves a huge physical challenge for everyone involved, but more importantly, directly helps at a grassroots level for children who currently live in extreme poverty. Jesus is the only answer in transforming lives and his answer for the poor is us. Crazy plan isn't it?!

I am a 34 year old construction worker. I have a beautiful wife and very energetic three year old girl. This year I will be going on the whole journey to Canberra with both my wife and daughter. I have just started to put my faith in Jesus, I am a Christian and proud of it. Last year I rode the first two days and enjoyed it immensely, though I don't think I really gave the purpose of Break the Cycle too much thought. We have an opportunity to help one of the poorest communities on earth and any amount you give will make a huge difference to those children in Zambia. It only costs $150 to send a child to school for a whole year. We would like to thank those who give to Break the Cycle, you have made a difference.

God asked me to use my life to speak up for children at risk by empowering ordinary people to be extra-ordinary and BE A HERO every day to a child - to bring him or her equality, a future and hope. It's not OK or fair that my children go to a great free school and children in other parts of the world are working for food, trafficked or orphaned with no-one to care for them.

Break the Cycle is one way that I can help transform children's lives by being part of a team of all ages and abilities to raise awareness of issues children face and raise funds to BREAK THE CYCLE of poverty for them - one bundle of smelly washing at a time!  You're never too small or too big to make a difference in the life of a child..

Prior to May 2009, I had never ridden a bicycle with gears, heard of cleats, or even thought about wearing lycra in public. I originally got involved in Break the Cycle because I thought it was a great way to raise money to support disadvantaged children in Zambia. I got quite a bit more than I bargained for! I had a wonderful time tackling the terrain, I got to hang out with some amazing people for two weeks and experience the satisfaction of knowing that our fundraising total was quickly growing thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Most importantly, my awareness of poverty in third world countries grew; my life's convictions and plans were challenged and reformed. I have realised that as a person with every blessing in life, I cannot sit still when I could be working to improve life for the disadvantaged.

I have my good friend Lyndell to thank for telling me about the ride last year. It was a fantastic journey so good in fact that I want to ride again. Graham and I rode as a couple last year and are looking forward to sharing the experience again. I never thought that God would have anything special for me, gee I was wrong! Through the ride I have gained great friendships, a stronger faith in God and the knowledge that the Kids we are riding for will be truly blessed. So I say to you "Come and join us for the ride of your life."

I rode in 2009 because Joayn came home and told me about the ride and was very excited about it. I thought this would be a wonderful experience which one would need to partake rather than hear about. It was an unreal time, experiencing ups and downs with a group of people who were once strangers but are now good friends. I am riding again in 2010 to once again enjoy the experience with Joayn, some friends from last year's ride and some who will become new friends because of this year's ride and of course we are all riding to help the kids of Ndola.

I have travelled to many countries over the last few years and seen atrocities inflicted on children that are, to put it simply, inhumane. So after the first two years of Break the Cycle raised over $100,000.00 to support the poorest of poor children in Zambia there is no way I would stop being part of a journey that will do so much for those with so little. I'm in till 2015. Go BREAK THE CYCLE Yeah!!!!!!

I've been an observer of the Brisbane-Canberra ride since it's inception, but never thought I would ever be a part of it. However, after being presented a road bike last December, my world has been greatly changed. Both Janette (my wife) and I get the chance to regularly visit orphanage centers within Asia, and have been supporters of the work being done by the people at Be a Hero Australia, so its in our DNA to want to help where ever we can. The ride to Canberra will be a great physical challenge, but I'm looking forward to being a part of the team that lifts the public profile of the work being carried out in Zambia and other similar needy countries.

As a keen, but sporadic cyclist, I've been itching to undertake a serious bike ride for quite some time, but have had trouble finding the right timing. When I received an email about Break the Cycle from a friend at church, I knew straight away that this is something I needed to be doing now. Recently getting to hear from some African children who have come from extreme poverty and have had their lives turned around was an affirmation that God can use us, even from so far away, to make a difference. I am really looking forward to supporting kids in need while making new friends (and hopefully losing weight while training)!

I am married to Wendy and have 3 children. I believe that God has called me to do something that I know I wouldn't be able to do in my own strength and that I will need to depend on Him to be able to complete this journey. In doing this I am also able to assist others in the World that are in desperate in need of our help. I look forward to what God has in store for our journey together.

Why wouldn't I want to be involved? There are over 2,000 references in the Bible alone reminding me that it is our responsibility to care for orphans & widows in distress. I take God's word seriously, so being part of BTC in 2010 means my practical help will allow these beautiful people to access the support they need through the funds raised and me to be obedient to what God requires of me. BTC is a fantastic journey, it will encourage you to be involved in something worthwhile and close to God's heart, but it is not for whimps!

The experience of being part of the 2008 BTC event brings back many good memories. To be able to put my Christian beliefs into practice by supporting the movement to relieve the plight of those in poverty and encourage our Government to meet their commitment to world poverty is a good thing. To see the progress of the school building program in Zambia is very satisfying. In 2010 I hope to be part of the team that will again take up the challenge of promoting the needs of the disadvantaged both locally and globally and complete the building program in Zambia. I look forward to again working with a keen and hopefully fit team of cyclists.

My name is Wendy Hammond, wife of Todd and mother of three children. I will not be riding down to Canberra but using my gifts to support the riders with food, a warm smile and clean clothes. God abundantly blesses us richly every day, we are in need of nothing. So by supporting Break the Cycle I will be helping those children who are less fortunate than us to have a better way of life.

I see Break the Cycle as a great opportunity to continue supporting the invaluable work Eagles Wings is doing in Southern Africa. It is easy to feel like you don't have enough to give or you are not really sure how to speak up for people battling poverty and the associated issues. But Break the Cycle is a very tangible way for me to be involved in the ongoing fight against poverty and seeing the Kingdom that Jesus talked about taking shape. For me it's exciting to think that efforts here can have massive effects in Africa. This is the picture I see Jesus paint in the Gospels, that out of small beginnings big things grow. The added bonus is I get to legally wear lycra and look hot in the process!

I have been in the road crew of a large ten day cycling event a couple of years in a row, helping to look after a large number of cyclists touring for pleasure. I also have some friends who have been to Zambia with Eagles Wings and have heard their stories. When I heard about Break the Cycle and the commitment of the cyclists, I knew this is where I have to be. I’ll be joining a bike tour with a purpose, not just a destination. My heart is with the children who are in such desperate need. What makes my heart sing is the stories of hope that the children Eagles Wings have already reached, now have. If my contribution to Break the Cycle can help bring hope to more children, then it is all worthwhile.

I have a real heart for the underprivileged people in this world, especially for those who have 'no voice'. It is great to be able to support an organisation that will make a difference to little children in Zambia. Providing them with education will give them a more promising hope for the future. My role on the Support crew will be to cook for the teams, encourage and pray for the them all. Looking forward to the event...

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"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." (Proverbs 14:23) That one's for Canberra.

I'm 36, am married and have a 4 year old son & 2 year old daughter. I have only recently taken up cycling as a hobby - just something to clear my head from the day to day stresses. But after hearing about Break the Cycle and the work they are supporting in Southern Africa through Eagles Wings I thought this was something really worthwhile that I could be a part of. "... those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31) I hope this also applies to cycling!

I’m involved in Break the Cycle not only for the challenge and the fun of being on a bike for two weeks but also because I can see the need to help eradicate poverty. For 13 years I would ask why I had to go to school, but now I know that without an education my life would be a lot worse off. Knowing that there are so many people in the world who don’t get an education at all has motivated me to try and help give an education through Eagles Wings to children who otherwise wouldn’t get one.

I heard about this ride last year and it sounded like very hard work for a very good cause. I thought that I might have a go at the ride this year and try to help the people less fortunate then ourselves. The results will be worth the pain.