Donating to Re-Cycle After Life-Changing Visit to Tanzania
At Re-Cycle, we are thrilled to spotlight the incredible efforts of Alexandra Sendrea, a student from City of London Freemen’s School, who has raised £1,150 fundraising for bikes to Africa. After platform fees, Alexandra donated an impressive £1,100 directly to Re-Cycle, helping fund more bikes to Africa and empower communities across the continent.
During a school trip to Tanzania, Alexandra witnessed firsthand the transformative power of bicycles in improving access to education, healthcare, and daily necessities. Motivated by this experience, she started her fundraising for bikes to Africa to make a meaningful impact. While she couldn’t find a charity directly supporting bike access in Tanzania, Alexandra chose Re-Cycle for its proven track record of working with trusted partners in Africa.
By collaborating with local organisations in Africa, Re-Cycle ensures that donated bikes to Africa are distributed responsibly and maintained for a sustainable future. This aligns perfectly with Alexandra’s vision of creating lasting change in communities with limited transportation options.
A Fundraising Journey with Purpose
Alexandra’s journey to raise funds for bikes to Africa began just a week before her trip. Her determination, coupled with support from pupils, teachers, and parents at City of London Freemen’s School, led to an impressive total of £1,150. Alongside her fundraising for bikes to Africa, Alexandra immersed herself in the Tanzanian community, connecting with students, participating in lessons, and encouraging young people to dream big.
Her time in Tanzania was filled with memorable moments: inspiring a young girl to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, participating in sports, and experiencing the warmth and resilience of the local communities. These experiences shaped her perspective on the importance of creating opportunities for others.
A Difficult but Meaningful Decision
During her trip, Alexandra considered donating a bike to one of the schools but ultimately decided against it. She was mindful of the challenges that might arise, such as maintenance issues or unintended misuse, which could detract from its purpose. This thoughtful decision led her to Re-Cycle, where she knew her donation would support sustainable solutions in communities with similar needs. Re-Cycle’s commitment to fundraising for bikes to Africa and ensuring their maintenance and responsible distribution made it the perfect choice.
Thank You, Alexandra
We are deeply grateful to Alexandra for her generous donation and her commitment to fundraising for bikes to Africa. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion and the impact young people can have when they take action.
Alexandra’s efforts will go a long way in providing life-changing bicycles to people in need, empowering them with the gift of mobility and opportunity.
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Read Alexandra’s Full Story Below:
My Journey to Tanzania: A Life-Changing Adventure in Giving Back
By Alexandra Sendrea
When my school offered me the chance to visit Tanzania, I felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity and my parents’ support. I wanted to make a meaningful impact, not just for myself but also for the people I’d meet. A week before departure, I decided to fundraise, knowing that even a small contribution could go far in a community with limited resources.
Preparing for the trip taught me important lessons. Handling money and navigating food with flexibility was more complex than we first anticipated. At the beginning of our trip, we encountered other challenges, like realising we had each been charged different amounts for the same thing we paid for. These experiences underscored the importance of building trust when working in unfamiliar places.
During our visits to schools, I had the chance to interact with students ranging in age from 4 to 19. I spoke with one headmaster about my interest in attending a math or physics lesson, and he quickly connected me with the right teachers. By the end of the 3rd lesson, I found myself helping the teacher foster enthusiasm among the students, who were initially shy. In another school, a young girl told me her dream of becoming a singer, when I encouraged them to dream big, even leading simple exercises to help them express their ideas. Later, during the school’s anthem, I realised she was the very student leading the song with a voice that was both powerful and beautiful. Moments like these highlighted the incredible talent and potential within these students and reinforced the importance of creating environments where they feel empowered to share their dreams.
To bridge that gap in communication, during the different schools we visited, we shared stories with the students and were warmly invited to join a table tennis tournament as well as multiple football matches. It was incredibly inspiring to see their smiles and hear their laughter, especially given the challenges they faced in their daily lives.
However, some moments left me deeply conflicted. For instance, I considered donating a bicycle to one of the schools. While I wanted to give it wholeheartedly, I ultimately decided against it. My concern was that it might inadvertently cause more harm than good. If a student accidentally damaged the bike—like getting a flat tyre—it could lead to trouble, especially without the resources to repair it. I also worried that the bike might not be used as intended, but instead, it would be dismantled for parts. The decision not to donate was a tough one, but I knew it was the right choice under the circumstances. Instead, I was thrilled to discover Re-Cycle, an charity whose mission aligned perfectly with mine and those who contributed to making this donation possible.
A heartfelt thank you to the pupils, teachers and parents from the City of London Freemen’s School for their invaluable support in making such a meaningful difference and donating a grand total of £1,150. This journey was filled with lessons. While I set out to make a difference in their lives, it was the students, teachers, and communities of Tanzania who truly transformed mine.
Read More About the Impact These Donations Have in Africa.
Your support helps Re-Cycle work with trusted local partners in Africa, ensuring that donated bikes are distributed responsibly, well-maintained, and used to create lasting, positive change in communities across the continent. Re-Cycle improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities—empowering people to live better lives. Find out more about how your donations are making a difference today!
