FORT ERIE, ONTARIO - Mark Sinke and Steve Green really love to ride. Sinke, Event Director for the Hamilton RIDE for Refugees, and Green, a medical resident organized "Love, Sweat + Gears" a 2-week, 2500 km "ride before the RIDE" bike tour of southern Ontario and Montreal to promote the RIDE for Refugees.
At the end of day two of their epic journey, the riders were still smiling even after biking 220 km.
"Most people we meet don't think refugees are an issue," Sinke said. "Even in Fort Erie where about 5000 refugees cross the border every year."
Sinke and Green biked 180 km on average every day rivaling Tour de France cyclists who cover 160 km per day. As they travelled from city to city from June 8-21 the team promoted the RIDE for Refugees (coming October 18, 2008), drew attention to the plight of refugees, and raised funds for C.U.R.E. (Care for Underprivileged and Refugee Empowerment Canada).
"Refugees have a lot to offer Canada. At the outset they need some assistance but they contribute a lot to our society," Green said.
Support vehicle driver Leo Johnson fled Liberia when he was 16, spending the next 8 years in refugee camps in Ivory Coast and Ghana before coming to Canada in 2006. Johnson, who will study economics at McMaster University this fall, shared his story with Canadians along the way.
"The refugee population will determine the future of Canada," Johnson said. "If Christians care about what the future of Canada will look like, they have a responsibility to get involved with refugees."
Over the past 10 years, 20,000 refugees settled in Canada each year on average. Victims of war, political oppression, and injustice many face difficulties with culture, language, and adjustment to a life that is significantly different from what they've known before.
Sinke and Green recognize that the "refugee problem" is made up of individuals like Leo Johnson who, through no fault of their own, are often forced to flee for their lives and end up here in Canada.
