Bike grease, sustainability, adventure, and endless peanut-buttersandwiches: Otesha hits the road on a mission to empower youth

Are you
passionate about sustainability
and looking for something a little different to do this coming summer?
And what
about bicycles? Have you ever dreamt about riding around parts of
Australia on
two wheels? If so, then why not put those dreams into action and join
The
Otesha Project (Australia): Cycling for Sustainability's forthcoming
adventures. The project is currently seeking 40 participants to take
part in
two six-week cycle tours: Brisbane to Newcastle (15 November – 22
December
2008); Melbourne regional loop (18 January – 1 March 2009).

Since 2000,
The Otesha Project (Aus.)
has pedalled across Australia educating youth and raising awareness
about
environmental sustainability and social justice issues. Otesha
is a
Swahili word for 'reason to dream' and is the underlining philosophy of
the
organisation. The Otesha crew combines theatre performance with
interactive
workshops to empower high school students to consider their life
choices to
ensure a positive future.

Current
consumption behaviours in
Australia have far reaching consequences that are both unsustainable
and
inequitable. The negative impacts of these practices usually affect the
most
disempowered people in society, including young people who now face an
uncertain future. For Shane Bill – co-director of Otesha
(Aust.) – it is about making small changes:
”It is recognising the need and challenging ourselves to slowly adjust
our
lifestyles,” he says. ”For instance, perhaps you might choose to say no
to
plastic bags. Such a choice has a rippling effect in our community and
beyond:
it not only creates less demand for petrol products, reduces the harm
to sea
life and creates less waste, but it also encourages and inspires those
around
us to do the same. By empowering the youth of today, we support the
future
leaders of tomorrow to create a more sustainable world.”

Worried
about your bicycle touring
experience? Don't have much knowledge about sustainable consumption
issues?
Never fear, that's why an Otesha bicycle tour is here!

Otesha
(Aust.) is seeking individuals
from all walks of life – people with varying experiences, backgrounds
and interests.
While on tour, participants not only learn skills to become strong
advocates
for living sustainably, but also develop skills such as media
communication,
leadership, acting, and communal living.

”One of the
most beautiful aspects of
being on tour is the change and growth of the actual participants,”
says Shane.
”Being the change they want to see...brings a smile to my face.”

The
application deadline for tour
participants is August 15, 2008. For information about applying
visit
the Otesha (Aust.) website at www.otesha.org.au/biketours/apply.