24 maart 2016
CycleforWater
Help us to help them! 25,000km, 20 countries & 2 bamboo bikers from France to New Zealand to provide 4 Thaï schools with clean drinking water!
![Project visual CycleforWater](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/380x0/quality:90/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Fproject%252Favatar%252F58789%252Flarge_Fotor_144527334265230-1445273349.jpg)
Successful
162
Contributions
22/04/2016
End date
€10.751
Out of €10.000
107 %
CycleforWater
<p>
<strong>Our story? </strong>It begins in the Netherlands in 2009. It is the story of Joost and Michiel, two young students who decided to cycle from the Arctic to the Antarctic on bamboo bicycles. Their idea? To prove that sustainable solutions are possible to solve such a crucial development issue as a lack of <strong>access to clean and safe water</strong>.</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145658767456219-1456587877" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283152/Fotor_145658767456219-1456587877.jpg"></p>
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Their gamble paid off: their <strong>bamboo bikes</strong> held up during their 30,000 kilometre journey, showing that the quality of this natural material is on par with aluminium, iron or carbon. But their success went further; they encountered many initiatives during their travels, recorded testimonials on the effectiveness of public water policies and <strong>systems of water purification</strong>, and at the end of their record-breaking attempt they had managed to <strong>raise enough funds</strong> to finance various <strong>humanitarian projects</strong> around the world.</p>
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</p>
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<strong>This story then continues with a meeting with another student, this one French, on Antarctica. </strong>At the same time that this student, Theo, had realized his dream of setting foot and learning from global warming on the White Continent he had quickly found his next mission.</p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fb_img_1452188905348-1456587408" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283149/FB_IMG_1452188905348-1456587408.jpg"></p>
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Amazed by the actions of Joost and Michiel, Theo offered to continue their work, and <strong>turn Cycle for Water into a movement</strong> that gives everyone dedicated to contribute to the cause of <strong>water conservation and sustainable development </strong>the possibility to do so.</p>
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</p>
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<strong>Theo quickly found his buddy Simon willing and able to join him in this journey, a West to East expedition</strong>, from France to the other side of the globe... New Zealand!</p>
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Both share a passion for nature and its preservation, and they are now seeking your help today.</p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145192142857899-1456587557" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283150/Fotor_145192142857899-1456587557.jpg"></p>
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<strong>Today we want to get YOU involved in the adventure</strong>, by helping us raise funds for those who are most in need of access to safe water; <strong>a basic human right</strong> and one of the core Sustainable Development Goals the world intends to meet by 2030.</p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145693426263018-1456934305" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/284958/Fotor_145693426263018-1456934305.jpg"></p>
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</p>
<p>
With limited water purification infrastructure in <strong>Thailand</strong> we need to work together with professionals in the field, who give their time and energy to the development of their projects. The project we are raising funds for is carried out by the <strong>HOAT Foundation</strong>, with whom we have a close relationship, and will help <strong>to change the lives of nearly 1,040 children </strong>in rural Thailand. </p>
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<u><strong>Your intrepid cyclists</strong></u></p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145693696109149-1456937100" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/284991/Fotor_145693696109149-1456937100.jpg"></p>
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<strong>Théo Rohfritsch</strong>, a 24 years old big dreamer, lover of open spaces, and crazy fundraiser for sustainability, is the only French student to have participated in the International Antarctic Expedition 2012 with Sir Robert Swan O.B.E and 2041. It is also by meeting with Joost and Michiel, the founders of Cycle for Water, that after completing his studies in Corporate Social Responsibility, his ambition was born to make Cycle for Water a movement! </p>
<p>
<strong>Simon Valdenaire</strong>, a 26 years old enthusiastic who shares a full passion for sustainable development, traveler and entrepreneur, has been involved with pugnacity in the creation of a student network for sustainable development, SENSD, and continues to persevere in accompanying small and medium businesses getting more responsible! </p>
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<u><strong>Our action with HOAT</strong></u></p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145502899089686-1456590493" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283172/Fotor_145502899089686-1456590493.jpg"></p>
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</p>
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The HOAT foundation, based in the Netherlands, is active in the rural Northeast Thailand, named Isaan, the poorest part of the country.</p>
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</p>
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<strong>The Foundation supports the installation of rainwater harvesting and purification systems but also well- and surface water purification systems</strong> at rural schools in this region.</p>
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</p>
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Over 3000 children have already benefited from the help of the Foundation, thanks to among others the action of Joost & Michiel.<strong> It is a bond of trust we have tied with this organization</strong>, through the seriousness and continuity of our collaboration.</p>
<p>
<strong>We visited in March 2016</strong> each of the schools selected by the foundation and attested firsthand the<strong> drinking water needs and deficiencies.</strong></p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145394007570280-1456590932" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283174/Fotor_145394007570280-1456590932.jpg"></p>
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<strong>State of play:</strong> In this region of Thailand, mostly composed of farmers, water resources are used for the culture of rice, cassava, sugar cane and eucalyptus.</p>
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The population living in this area has always been <strong>dependent on rainwater as the best choice for drinking water.</strong></p>
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As in the rest of the country, population increase, urbanization, agricultural and industrial expansion are causing degradation of the quality of water supplies. The lack of regulations on the exploitation of groundwater is resulting in an over-exploited stock of water resources, causing soil depletion.</p>
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<strong>The water crisis in Thailand</strong> is accentuated by severe flooding during the monsoon period, as well as major droughts the rest of the year.</p>
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<strong>In order to ensure constant access to potable water </strong>to the population, water must be stored in concrete "<strong>Water Tanks".</strong> The rain water is collected by a system of roofs and gutters.</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145394479411334-1456591811" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283176/Fotor_145394479411334-1456591811.jpg"></p>
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<strong>This system has many loopholes</strong> in its ability to maintain adequate and potable water quality.</p>
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It has many pathogenic elements caused by the presence of animal faeces (birds, cats, rats and reptiles) or decomposing animals that drowned in the tanks. They can also promote the proliferation of mosquitoes and other pests.</p>
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<strong>Recognizing this, the Foundation Hoat acts in cooperation with the countries most affected by beneficiaries of water deficiency: schoolchildren.</strong></p>
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</p>
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<strong>The links between access to water and education are more intertwined than it seems</strong>. Indeed, in a region where only half of schools have access to decent sanitation, it is so much risk that young girls leave school before the age of puberty.</p>
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The boys also see their <strong>limited future without a stable supply of drinking water</strong>, decisive criterion for their health and therefore the success of their studies.</p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145394321535922-1456592238" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283179/Fotor_145394321535922-1456592238.jpg"></p>
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</p>
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<strong>A lack of clean water increases school absenteeism</strong> of its students, and indirectly increases poverty in a given region.</p>
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<strong>The Foundation Hoat breaks this vicious circle</strong>, building the infrastructure and encouraging children to bring drinking water from school to their homes.</p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145031989115096-1456592408" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283180/Fotor_145031989115096-1456592408.jpg"></p>
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<strong><u>Let's do this!</u></strong></p>
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</p>
<p>
So far, the <strong>Hoat Foundation provided water purification systems in more than 13 schools</strong>, allowing <strong>more than 5,000 children</strong> having access to safe and clean drinking water.</p>
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</p>
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The project involves the supply of drinking water in <strong>4 schools</strong> in this region. Three of them will be installed as being <strong>rain water harvesting and purification </strong>. The fourth, being unable to capture water from the rain, must use a system of <strong>purification of well water</strong>. Therefore, more costly, involves a more complex filter system cleaning the chemical elements from contaminated soil water.</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145393867905067-1456592753" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283183/Fotor_145393867905067-1456592753.jpg"></p>
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The names of the schools are given below:</p>
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-Ban Tung Wang, ground water (well water) for <strong>416 children</strong></p>
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-Ban Ta Ma, rain water harvesting for 1<strong>68 children</strong></p>
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-Ban Sa waay Ta ngone, rain water harvesting for <strong>188 children</strong></p>
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-Ban Nong Kab rainwater harvesting for <strong>211 children</strong></p>
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</p>
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The total project cost is around € 9,000.</p>
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The project will start about two months after the end of the crowdfunding campaign, ie in June. Each school requires about three weeks of work. We therefore consider the end of the project to be in September.</p>
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</p>
<p>
<u><strong>A message from Ruben, the founder of HOAT</strong></u></p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Showimage-1456936442" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/284983/ShowImage-1456936442.gif"></p>
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</p>
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"My name is Ruben van Beek,</p>
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Originally from the Netherlands but I live more than 12 years in Thailand.</p>
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Together with my wife Sriya, I founded in 2007 a foundation with the name “HOAT”. </p>
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In those days when I arrived for the first time in this poor countryside, I wondered if there was something we could help the local peole with, in order to get a little bit better life.</p>
<p>
It didn't seem fair to me when I saw the situation of the local people while keeping in mind where I come from we can drink the water straight from the faucet and most of us take that for granted. While, us, in the west flush our toilets with drinking water, the children here often drink water with traces of feces in it...</p>
<p>
Our foundation installs water purification systems in rural schools of which you can find more on our website: www.Hoat.nl</p>
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Our work was honored by visits of collegues from all over the world, reports in Thai, Dutch, and Chinese newspapers, magazines and TV.</p>
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In september 2009 we received an award from the governor of the province Buriram where we are located.</p>
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</p>
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<strong>Clean water....Children first! Why? Because they don't have a vote in this they just depend on us, adults</strong>."</p>
Allocation of funds
<p>
<strong><u>A funding of € 10,000 will be used for the following expenditures:</u></strong></p>
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</p>
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-Covering the Kisskissbankbank 8% fee : 800 €</p>
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</p>
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<u>Finance 3 rainwater system in 3 schools, following this budget:</u></p>
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</p>
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-Purchase of the filtration system : 413 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the gutters + downspouts : 310 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the tank top filters : 51 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the pump : 180 euro</p>
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-Reparation of the basic structure of the water tanks : 103 euro</p>
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-Purchase of PVC pipes : 129 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the electra : 129 euro</p>
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-Pay the labour workforce : 258 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the overhead : 258 euro</p>
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<strong>-Total = 1835 euro</strong></p>
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<strong>-X 3 schools = 5506 euro</strong></p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145030964192260-1456593631" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283186/Fotor_145030964192260-1456593631.jpg"></p>
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</p>
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<u>Finance 1 groundwater system for the school not being able to fetch rain water, following this budget:</u></p>
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</p>
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-Purchase the ground water system : 2184 euro</p>
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-Purchase 2 pumps : 360 euro</p>
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-Pay the labour workforce : 103 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the electra : 233 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the PVC pipes and valves : 258 euro</p>
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-Purchase of the overhead : 258 euro</p>
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<strong>-Total = 3554 euro</strong></p>
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</p>
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<img alt="Fotor_145031121289895-1456593775" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/283187/Fotor_145031121289895-1456593775.jpg"></p>
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</p>
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The systems have a <strong>life span of 15 - 20 years. The maintenance will be be paid with yearly school budget.</strong> Schools and village people (parents) sign an MOU to ensure the sustainability of the system and therefor the donated sum. </p>
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<u><strong>A funding of € 10,000+ will allow us, beyond the previous costs listed, to:</strong></u></p>
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</p>
<p>
-As part of this journey, and in the continuation of the "Cycle for Water" mission, Theo and Simon <strong>target</strong> to finance up to <strong>€ 25,000 of water projects</strong> to which the first one is already introduced to you. <strong>Every extra donation will enable the financing of two other projects</strong>, which each budget is of € 7,500.</p>
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-A part of this amount may also be used to cover extra budget expenditures, such as bike reparations, or GPS maps not initially set on our device, or even the extra costs dues to traveling with bikes to cross the ocean, etc!</p>
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<u><strong>Counterparts details and conditions:</strong></u></p>
<p>
-NIRVANA WAVE: Audio record available only in French</p>
<p>
-OVERPOWERFUL WATERFALL: CycleforWater polo t-shirt color is different from the counterpart image, it is white polo t-shirt with the CycleforWater logo in blue (looking even better!)</p>
<p>
-INACESSIBLE GLACIER & INDESTRUCTIBLE ICEBERG: Transport fees to come at the starting point are at your charge</p>
<p>
-5 PLANETARY OCEANS: Only for residents in France</p>
Rewards
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136175%252Fnormal_received_10207329430926707-1456594941.jpeg.jpg)
€5
- 10 contributions
GENEROUS WATER DROP - A Water Thank You and our gratitude expressed on our Facebook page!
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136179%252Fnormal_received_10207395600340901-1456595453.jpeg.jpg)
€10
- 29 contributions
INTREPID STREAM - Your name in the credits of the CycleforWater FRtoNZ short film + Social and Environnemental report of the positive impact made thanks to your donation, with some news from us (newsletter) + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: September 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136178%252Fnormal_received_10154071813393629-1456595326.jpeg.jpg)
€20
- 30 contributions
FIERCE TORRENT - A super and autographed e-postal card (let's go paperless to protect forest and water!) from one of the 20 countries of your choice! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: July 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136180%252Fnormal_received_10207627565219878-1456595519.jpeg.jpg)
€30
- 12 contributions
BREAKING RAIN - Our awesome expedition playlist which brings light during tough times and energy to surpass yourself! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: September 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F137157%252Fnormal_received_10207629120458758-1456930533.jpeg.jpg)
€40
- 13 contributions
NIRVANA WAVE - Our intimate e-travel book full of funny anecdotes about misadventures, epic moments per country, and fresh audio records from uncommun situations met on the way! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: September 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F137158%252Fnormal_received_10207637629911489-1456930549.jpeg.jpg)
€50
- 19 contributions
OVERPOWERFUL WATERFALL - The cool CycleforWater t-shirt to wear anytime + Join the video montage of the "Waterfall of Fame" (hall of fame) by sending us your Vine video of 7 seconds! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: October 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136181%252Fnormal_received_10207431105108498-1456595707.jpeg.jpg)
€70
- 2 contributions
UNSTOPPABLE MONSOON - The occasion to ask a question, send a message or a poem to one of the scholars from the four schools and we will send you her/his written answer with thai hand-drawings to thank you! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: July 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136182%252Fnormal_received_10207372113833753-1456595820.jpeg.jpg)
€90
- 3 contributions
ANNAPURNA AVALANCHE - A special souvenir in image with you, the 1040 scholars and the school community to celebrate your good action in giving them a chance for a brighter future! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: July 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136185%252Fnormal_received_10207540138514265-1456595884.jpeg.jpg)
€120
- 1 contribution
HOLY RIVER - In between a break from chasing up the kilometers and looking for a hot shower, we invite you to skype with us and discuss about everything and anything + A ukulele and guitalele song will be improvised just for you! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: July 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136184%252Fnormal_received_10207395599660884-1456595838.jpeg.jpg)
€150
- 5 contributions
YES WE CANYON - "CycleforWater Expedition Kit" (e.g. equipment list, sponsorship approach, fundraising plans/strategies, physical preparation, tips, etc) fully illustrated and drawned from our experience to set up your own humanitarian adventure, and why not to become the next CycleforWater ambassador! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: November 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F136186%252Fnormal_received_10207540140034303-1456595903.jpeg.jpg)
€250
- 3 contributions
INACCESSIBLE GLACIER - A riding adventure on our bamboo bikes, for 1 or 2 persons, where, at the end of the day, you will be able to show off with your "Bamboo Rider Certificate" provided by CycleforWater and approved by your boys! + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: October 2016
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F137159%252Fnormal_received_10207637560509754-1456930567.jpeg.jpg)
€500
INDESTRUCTIBLE ICEBERG - An invitation to live an adventure worthy of the name with us over one weekend into the wild! You will learn the basis of bike reparation, first aid gestures, the use of the expedition's technical equipment, autonomy in the wild, daily stretching excercices, how to cook grilled marchemalos with bamboo sticks, etc! + previous counterparts
![](https://djxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net/resized/414x0/quality:90,format:jpg/https%253A%252F%252Fdjxmmoom3injc.cloudfront.net%252Fuploads%252Freward_image%252Fimage%252F137161%252Fnormal_received_10207637607590931-1456930584.jpeg.jpg)
€1.000
- 1 contribution
5 PLANETARY OCEANS - At our return, we will come over to camp in your garden to brief you about our experience around a glass of fresh drinking water ; including sharing with you "hello in 20 languages", a motivational speech about a topic of your life and the projection of the CycleforWater FRtoNZ trailer + Space dedicated to highlight the reasons of your engagement with us on the CycleforWater website + previous counterparts
Estimated delivery: October 2016