Karisimbi Partners believes in helping businesses and individuals reach the summit of their potential. Over the past few years as we have had the opportunity to work across various parts of the country and among a wide variety of business sectors, we have come in contact with some remarkable people and organizations doing amazing things. In line with our social motivation, we have sought to support inspiring organizations and individuals here in Rwanda.
One such organization is Team Rwanda, a non-profit focused on building and developing the Rwandan cycling team. Their Mission: “Team Rwanda Cycling searches for talent to empower, enable and to inspire not just individuals but families, communities and a nation through cycling.” These young men are taken from extreme poverty and given an opportunity to develop their skill and talent for the good of their families, their country, and in pursuit of personal dreams.
Janvier Hadi of Team Rwanda competing in the 2011 Tour of Rwanda
Janvier Hadi is a promising nineteen year old rider that Karisimbi Partners is pleased to support in the development of his racing career. Far from a hobby, cycling can allow this young man (with only a primary school education) to provide for his family and serve as an inspiration for the youth of his country. In April of 2011, he won the Kigali to Butare Single Speed Race and earned the right to be evaluated in Musanze (Team Rwanda training headquarters). He tested quite well, had an excellent pedal stroke and fit the bill for an up-and-coming cyclist: tall, thin and young. He was mentored by one of Team Rwanda’s veteran riders, Gasore Hategeka, who was featured in an article in this summer’s New Yorker by Philip Gourevitch, Climbers.
Janvier has shown incredible promise. As a rookie, he made the top team, Team Karisimbi, for Team Rwanda for the 2011 Tour of Rwanda, and had a very strong showing. Based on Janvier’s performance, he was selected as the third rider to attend the UCI training camp in South Africa in February and March along with Gasore and another veteran rider, Nicodem. Sending Janvier to training camp in South Africa is essential to his growth as a rider. Karisimbi Partners is honored to provide the required support to cover Janvier’s camp fees and travel costs to attend this critical component in his development. This will be Janvier’s first time on a plane and first time outside Rwanda. He will come back in April transformed.
The week before training camp, Team Rwanda coach Jonathan Boyer was invited to Janvier’s home village to see the new house he bought with the winnings from the Tour of Rwanda. He bought the house for his family of seven! Janvier is another young rider giving hope to all the young boys…and girls…in Rwanda, hope that they too can make a difference to their family and even their country through cycling.
Janvier stands proudly in front of the house he bought for his family
Onward & upward,
Greg
