Teen Cyclists Raise $100,000 for Timor-Leste School Fund

A remarkable initiative by two passionate teenage birdwatchers, Cezary Carmichael and Leo Norman, aims to make a meaningful impact in the education sector of Timor-Leste. The two teenagers have embarked on an ambitious cycling adventure across Australia, with the goal of raising $100,000. Their mission is to fund the construction of a school in Timor-Leste, a country where education facilities are often inadequate.

Having spent over 280 days on the road, Cezary and Leo are cycling from the Eyre Peninsula to Adelaide, covering thousands of kilometers. “In Australia, you can spend $100,000 and buy a Landcruiser,” said Cezary Carmichael, 19. “Over in Timor-Leste, you can build a school for 130 kids with a vegetable garden and make some really significant intergenerational developmental change.”

The journey has not been without its challenges. The duo faced harsh conditions, including floods and bushfires, and managed a particularly daunting 500-kilometre stretch across remote Western Australia with no opportunity to resupply. Despite these challenges, Cezary describes the experience as enlightening, “You learn a lot about yourself, about the country, and your place within it.”

Leo Norman, 18, has been a long-time enthusiast of birding, which complements their cycling journey. The experience has brought them closer to Australia’s landscape, offering unique opportunities to observe the country’s rarest birds. Cezary remarks, “You’ve got quite an intimate connection to the landscape when you’re not travelling across it at 110 kilometres per hour.”

Their fundraising efforts have reached the goal, amassing $100,000 in support of Spend it Well, a charity dedicated to school construction in Timor-Leste. Neither had visited the country before, but a trip in August allowed them to witness the profound impact of previous projects. “We went out to some of the 21 schools that the charity had built there so far,” Cezary explained, adding that the impact of the funds is substantial.

Encounters with generous Australians along the journey have marked their trek. Cezary reports that roadside supporters have often offered refreshments and shared their own stories, boosting the cyclists in their mission. After their visit to Adelaide, anticipated in mid-October, they will continue to Melbourne, aiming to conclude their journey by November 1.

Cezary is also crafting a documentary capturing their expedition and the significance of Australian birds, hoping to bring their experiences to a broader audience. The teenagers plan to revisit Timor-Leste around Easter next year, potentially for the opening of the new school, which is expected to be built swiftly.