Cycle of Hope helps build Winnipeg home on Ontario roads

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This article was published 24/07/2023 (861 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A family from Ethiopia will soon have their first home in Winnipeg, thanks to a group of 27 cyclists riding to Niagara Falls, Ont.

Now in its 29th year, the Cycle of Hope is an annual fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. The 12-day supported journey July 17-28 from Winnipeg is capped by 782 kilometres of cycling to Niagara Falls from Little Current, Ont.

This year, funds raised will go towards construction of a home for Getachew Addgeh and Rahel Haile.

Addgeh is a massage therapist; Haile, certified as medical office assistant via completing a program at CDI College, works as his administrative assistant.

Addgeh arrived in Canada in 2013; Haile in 2016. The couple have three young children.

“First thing is that having your own house means more freedom,” Addgeh said. “Safety-wise, it’s more secure, too.

“Living in an apartment building on the 21st floor, it’s hard and I’m visually impaired,” said Addgeh, who has glaucoma.

Before applying to Habitat for Humanity, Addgeh noted he and his wife had tried by conventional means to purchase a home but weren’t successful.

Habitat is a non-profit that partners with lower-income families to build and buy an affordable home, with a no down payment, no interest, renewable mortgage.

Two of the cyclists working to make the local couple’s dreams of homeownership come true are Mark and Susan Moore, a retired couple that previously worked in counselling and the non-profit sector.

“It’s going towards a really great cause,” said Mark, adding he has a longstanding passion for poverty alleviation. “Having worked in a national development field for a few years, just the importance of a family having a safe and secure home really captured my attention.”

The avid cyclist participated in last year’s Cycle of Hope in Alberta (to Waterton Lakes National Park from Jasper National Park). Despite its length, Mark said the ride this year seems like it will be less challenging, due to the relative flatness of the terrain.

After being part of the support team last year, Susan is instead an e-bike rider.

Participants must pay a registration fee of $1,000 and commit to raising at least $3,500, or $6,000 if two participants register together. Participants solicit donations on their own.

“What I like about it is that there aren’t many (charities) that are offering homes,” Susan said of Habitat. “It’s very well-organized and well done.

“We’re helping people who maybe it would take their whole lives to get the down payment, but they’re good, hard-working people.”

The Moores were on the planning committee for the 2023 ride, which began Monday.

Brett Bourne, signature events manager for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, said while most Cycle of Hope donations come in during the days of the ride itself, Habitat will take donations all throughout the year.

“All of the money that we’re raising through this event, and all of the money that is raised through Habitat for Humanity events in general, all stays in the community,” Bourne explained, noting the organization does not use donations to pay for its administrative costs.

Addgeh said security issues and tense political situation in Ethiopia inspired him to leave for Canada.

“I’ve had a wonderful experience here, except for the cold,” he said. “Canada is very peaceful and Winnipeg is very friendly.”

The Addgeh-Haile family will be having a housewarming party once they take possession of their home, to which the cyclists will be invited.

Addgeh has also offered massages to those cyclists who wish to take him up on the offer. “We got that opportunity, so it’s a way of saying thank you for what they’ve done.”

According to Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s website, the non-profit plans to complete 16 homes in 2023 (all started last year) in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Landmark, Morden, Portage la Prairie and Winkler.

graham.mcdonald@freepress.mb.ca