This summer, Chris Johnson and Michael Alexander are embarking on a 5 week bike ride from Tempe, Arizona, to Chicago. Their goal is to raise $10,000, which will go towards the purchase of a truck for the farm of James Kamanyire and the Sunrise House of Fort Portal, Uganda.

For anyone unfamiliar with the Sunrise House, it's a home for students in the Fort Portal area who have lost both of their parents. The house was founded by AZ Rep. Sam Crump in 2004 on behalf of the Anthem Rotary Club.  Follow their journey here.

Through the financial support of the Anthem Rotary Club and individual sponsorships via Hope 4 Kids International, 50 orphans are able to attain an education and lifestyle that would otherwise be impossible.

Unfortunately, as times have gotten harder here in the United States, the house has seen severe drop in sponsorship money. However, the Sunrise House students' food, living, and education costs have remained the same. Each day, the house is falling into increasing debt.

So...who's James Kamanyire and what does he need with a truck?

James Kamenyire is a Fort Portal farmer and (along with his father, Bishop Eustace Kamanyire) runs the Sunrise House. James owns a 30 acre farm 10 km across town from the Sunrise House. On his farm, James raises chickens, cows, goats, and even has a tilapia pond. He also grows corn, avacados, bananas, sugar cane, coffee beans, and many other crops.

With the means to transport food from his farm, to the Sunrise House, James will eliminate 2/3 of the house's monthly expenses! He will be able to better transport his crops to the market place, which will allow him to do better business. He can also transport Sunrise students to and from his farm, where he plans on implementing an agriculture education program. Because of their intertwined relationship, anything which benefits the farm, benefits Jame's children at the Sunrise House.

By supporting the Sunride, you are helping the Sunrise House take a major step towards self-sustainability. Please support the Sunride as we ride across the country on two wheels, so James can drive across town on four.

All donations will be handled by Hope 4 Kids International and are 100% tax deductible.

Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, comments, or encouragement at csjohns8@asu.edu

Donate to Chris's First Giving site now