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In August 2009 I visited the ruggedly beautiful country of Timor-Leste to document The Chain Reaction Project (TCRP) as they competed in the inaugural Tour de Timor adventure mountain bike race.
TCRP is a non-profit philanthopic organization comprised of four women from Singapore who search for unique sports- and adventure-themed opportunities to help change lives. Their mantra is to be catalysts for social change through sport, and inspire others to take up a physical or mental challenge for a good cause.
The Tour de Timor was a personal initiative by Timor's President, Jose Ramos-Horta, to help raise awareness of the plight of this fledgling state on the 10th anniversary of it's independence from Indonesia. More than 300 cyclists from across the globe raced for a grueling 5 days/450km across nine of Timor’s 13 districts.
The women of TCRP raised USD$35K in private donations and corporate sponsorship which, at the end of the race, was donated to HIAM-Health, a Dili-based malnutrition rehabilitation and education centre for parents and children.
My personal contribution to TCRP was to accompany them on this cycling adventure and document their journey; the result is the slideshow of my photography presented here.
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In a few days, TCRP will once again be returning to Timor-Leste to participate in the inaugural Dili City of Peace Marathon, running 42 kilometers up mountains, through native villages and along pristine coastlines of this country that not long ago was ravaged by civil war. Like last year, the four women of TCRP -- this time accompanied by a group of 50 "catalyst" runners -- will be competing to raise awareness for the poverty-stricken country of Timor-Leste and its people, as well as to once again help raise funds for HIAM-Health.
I will also be returning to Timor-Leste to photograph TCRP's adventure. However, this time I will be accompanied by my close friend and documentary filmmaker, Mike Rogers, who will join me to film the journey, as well as HIAM-Health and the impact that TCRP's monetary donation is having on the facility.
More of my photographs of Timor-Leste and her people can be found here.
To view this video in HD, click here.
**If you are having trouble viewing the video, please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player here.**
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