The Journey Home

Returning to the Angolan battlefields around Cuito Cuanevale would be difficult for most bush war veterans.  One ex-conscript is about to return by bicycle.

Paul Morris fought in Angola in 1987.  He will attempt to cycle over 1500 kilometres through South Eastern Angola from Kuito to the Namibian border.  En route he will visit Cuito Cuanavale which was strategically important during the civil war which lasted over three decades. He fought in some of the battles that led to the siege of the town and is returning to put some lingering ghosts to rest.

Paul will be using the journey to raise funds for the outdoor education charity Educo Africa.  Educo Africa’s wilderness based programmes aim to provide participants with opportunities for healing, growth and the development of leadership skills.  “We used to be told that the army would be character building,” says Paul, “but there are many more constructive and meaningful rites of passage for young people than learning how to kill”.  He believes that Educo’s leadership programmes are a powerful way for young people to grow and to develop confidence.

Paul’s ride will begin towards the end of September and will take about a month.  Donations to Educo can be made via their website www.educo.org.za  

To find out more about Paul’s Angola Journey visit his blog http://angolajourney.blogspot.com