Elite in Africa Cycling from Mali to Senegal, to promote development projects and living the Sport as an implement of integration. This is the “Bamako-Dakar il silenzioso tour della solidarietà”.

From 15th to 21st February 5 Malians, 5 Senegalese and 22 Italians have covered together 600 km by bike. Among the Italians, Marco Costa.

To him we asked to take about one hundred of Elite bottles, we wanted to be there too. And then we know Marco, he really believes in this. He went to Marocco, Alaska, Bolivia, Argentina and Canada riding his bike. He set up with Elena Massarenti a sports association that organizes adventure trips. Today he narrates us Africa.

Bicycle and solidarity, why toghether?

Bicycle removes the social gaps. Pedalling all together means to look at the world in the same way. Moreover bicycle, or better sport in general, in Mali and Senegal signifies to live, to find means of support, sometimes to emerge.

And how did you attend ?

Taking materials and learning the situation to understand how to intervene. We left to the Africans Federations clothes, tires and bottles. Yes, bottles are fundamental for us, for them a luxury. They use to ride with 1,5 liter plastic bottle. Difficult to pedal in this way. Bottles contains water, big problem in Africa.

What does it mean taking the superfluous where there isn’t the essential?

It means to be there. It means trying to do something. We realized that there’s a lot to do. But it is a step. The first one.

And now how does it continues?

We are arranging with some riders, who have participated to the event, to send a container. Jerseys, bikes, helmets. The problem is to go through customs and to avoid stealing. But we don’t quit and we believe in it.

The last question, that is not a question: one emotion from the trip.

Cycling on the red hearth. The stars big as houses. The women’s fragrance.

Father Mariano is a Scalabrianian missionary who has lived for 3 years in Haiti.

His mission there was already over when the earth shaked but other 6 priests are still working there.
“In Haiti we have a seminary in Croix-de-Bouquets in which some young Haitians learn about teology, philosophy, english and spanish. Our mission is composed not only by the school but also by a campus, a little hospital. At the moment, it became a “real” hospital for the whole region: our football field was covered by injured people. 10 American doctors arrived and everybody healthy is giving help”.

“Haiti is a difficult place to live: I had some attacks while I was working there -explained us Father Mariano. – But there are also nice people and they deserve to be helped. For the moment the important is to take care of the injured people and of babies. So I hope that people can continue with the charity. Haiti needs you”.

“ELITE FOR HAITI”

DIRECT AID FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN HAITI

Fontaniva (PD), January 20^{th, 2010 – Let’s do something to help the people of Haiti. Elite, the leading Italian company in the cycling sector has decided to hit the field immediately to help the people of Haiti, the Caribbean island that was recently devastated by a terrible earthquake.}

^{The initiative is called “Elite for Haiti”, and it calls for immediate production and distribution of a special water bottle with the colours of the Haitian flag and two hands reaching out to each other in a universal symbol of aid. All proceeds will be donated to charity.}

^{“Through the media we’ve learned that the lack of drinking water is one of the foremost emergencies on the island – explains Elite Marketing Director Alessio Sartore -. These water bottles will not only serve to quench the thirst of athletes, but we hope that they can contribute to bringing water and aid to the Haitian people”.}

^{This Elite proposal aims to be purely charitable, serving no commercial gain whatsoever.}

^{“The production costs of the Elite water bottles for Haiti will be entirely sponsored by the company and proceeds from their sale will be donated entirely to charitable organizations for the people of Haiti through the Doctors of Médecins sans Frontières - continues Alessio Sartore-. With a simple gesture you can do something important to help those in need. In these hours our staff is working hard to get the initiative up and running. Presumably the water bottle will be available in most cycling shops starting in early February”.}

Here is the bottle that we are producing for the Elite for Haiti project

We are all fully aware of the situation in Haiti.

We want to do something to try to help the population and the people that are working in Haiti right now.

With Elite for Haiti project, Elite is trying to collect money that will be sent to the association Medici Senza Frontiere in Haiti.

A cycling bottle with two hands and the Haitian flag colours has been produced and will be sold through the shops that will participate to this initiative.

The entire revenue of this project will be sent to Medici Senza Frontiere working in Haiti.