Refugee ride brings powerful message to Northern Rivers

PHOTOGRAPHER and refugee advocate Muzafar Ali received a standing ovation in Murwillumbah on Sunday night, arriving soaked and exhausted after a 12-hour ride from Maleny.

Ali is halfway through a 4000-kilometre ride from Brisbane to Adelaide to raise funds for refugee education in Afghanistan and Indonesia.

Ali and his fellow riders were welcomed with a community dinner organised by the Uki Refugee Project.

“We had tears on the way. We had sweat, we had blood, we had everything, but we are here tonight.”

He praised his team and made special mention of 10-year-old Zachary Brown, who fasted for three days and raised $700 to support refugee education.

“This young man, Zachary Brown, came to watch the film, and he was quite shy,” he said.

“Then he went and raised funds for the education of refugees and fasted for three days, raising $700.

“I am so proud of him.”

The ride supports Cisarua Learning, a refugee-led charity Ali co-founded in Indonesia in 2014. What began with $200 and two classrooms has grown into a global network of eight schools, 130 teachers and more than 2300 students.

The charity also provides visa support, advocacy at the United Nations, and resources for underground schools in Afghanistan.

Uki Refugee Project coordinator Joan Henderson said the visit was powerful.

“We had a very inspiring welcome from Uncle Victor and Uncle Gary on didgeridoo,” she said.

“Many people take education for granted, and this charity supports girls in Afghanistan and refugee camps to have the opportunity for education.”

Ali and his team also visited local schools on Monday, riding the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and stopping at Uki, Dungay, and several others in the region.

To donate, visit rideforeducation.com/donate