Hey everyone. My name is Isaac Nderitu and I am a student at the University of Leeds. This summer, I have the incredible opportunity to travel to the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa as part of the Gryphons Abroad 2026 team.

The Mission:

In partnership with The Bambisanani Partnership, the KZN Department of Education, and KZN Cycling, our team will spend three weeks in rural communities delivering a project built on three pillars:

1. Cycling Hubs: Teaching bike maintenance and cycling skills to give students a faster, safer way to get to school.

2. Sport & Leadership: Hosting festivals that empower young leaders through teamwork and physical activity.

3. Cultural Exchange: Learning from the rich Zulu culture while sharing our own global perspectives.

Why This Matters to Me: From Africa to Engineering:

This project is deeply personal for me. Having grown up in Africa, I have seen firsthand how limited infrastructure can hold back brilliant young minds. I know what it means for a child to face a two-hour walk just to reach a classroom.

Now, as an Engineering student, my main goal is to use my technical skills to impact society. I believe engineering isn't just about machines or buildings it’s about creating systems that empower people.

By helping establish and maintain Cycling Hubs, I am:

• Applying Maintenance Skills: Ensuring the fleet of bikes stays operational so the impact lasts long after I leave.

• Building a Foundation: This is my first step toward a lifelong goal of building a foundation in Africa that focuses on sustainable community development and engineering-led solutions.

"Access to a bicycle can be life-changing. It transforms a gruelling daily commute into a quick journey, giving a child more time to learn, play, and thrive."

How You Can Help:

To make this possible, I need to raise £2,500. This target isn't just for my travel; it directly funds the project costs, including:

• The setup of cycling hubs in remote areas.

• Tools, spare parts, and safety helmets for the students.

• Support for local development officers who sustain the project year-round.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps put a child on wheels and keeps them in school.

If you can’t donate at this time, please consider sharing this page with your network. Thank you for helping me take this first step in my journey to give back to my home continent through the power of engineering!