The RA: Some thoughts from the back seat

When you are spending hours slowly pedalling your way through our beautiful country you have time to reflect. I wanted to share a takeout from my time on the backseat.

In this day and age and looking at where the world is headed we wonder just how we can make a difference. It’s our personal belief that society, communities and the world will never be improved by politicians, wars, greed, hate and divided communities. What we see the Bald Angels doing by reaching out to communities and building bridges and showing kindness we believe is a road to improving communities and life for all. The Bald Angels organisation is not just gold, they are diamonds and their work with young tamariki and youth is an example of their enduring kindness to those in need, lifting them to a place where they have self belief and hope.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish”. Proverbs 29:18.

In a day Bald Angels can be involved with:

• Providing a uniform or a pair of shoes for a child to go to school.
• Intervening when young people struggle with gender identity who may be suicidal.
• Supplying food parcels for hungry families.
• Guiding youth toward better decision making and futures.
• Giving hope to someone and much much more.

Bald Angels resist the path of judgement and look to instead build bridges through kindness and by doing so build stronger, and better communities.

We were encouraged when we biked around NZ by the people in some of the smaller townships (often in the places least expected), who were building their communities with determination and kindness. For example; a project not only as protection for the environment but also providing work for those that may not otherwise have employment. Also they had their own social housing – the community lead these initiatives.

When we first looked at our ride around NZ/ Aotearoa, it looked too big to achieve – I especially thought I’d never be able to do it. But I got on the bike and started. I began. I took a small first step – a pedal. Then that first pedal became a few kilometres, a town and another, the North Island and then the South. It started with small ‘steps’. When we look at the world and our communities and all the associated problems, it looks too big a challenge for any individual to achieve any change. Take a step, a first pedal. Bald Angels have already taken their first steps, but they need you and me. They need our support. Let’s help them build stronger communities which benefit us all.

Who was it that said, “It takes a village”?