Wooden Bike Classic - single speed race

Team Rwanda started off with hopes of giving a few riders an opportunity to compete on the world stage and by doing so they would impact the world's impression of Rwanda in a positive way. Shaking the dust of genocide from their backs is the new challenge for Rwandans. Our intent was that the Rwandans would fuel this effort, not us.

Because we believed in the team being a metaphor for the "new Rwanda" we chose to make a documentary film about these young Rwandan cyclists' journey into the "big wide world of cycling". We had dreams of them walking into the Olympic arena in China showing the world that Rwanda had arrived, that they did occupy a place on the globe.

The dream was lost when the Team failed to qualify for the Olympics. But, as often is the case, God had a better ending for our story. We quickly learned that the ending was not how Team Rwanda impacted the world, but rather how Team Rwanda impacted Rwanda.

During the Tour of Rwanda, Team Rwanda dominated, whereas in years past they languished. Hundreds of thousands of people came down to the streets to cheer their team on as the yellow, blue, and green uniforms flew past. This Team, was not here to change the world it was here to change "them"...the average Rwandan who saw that getting out was possible, that being strong and great was within their grasp.

Humbled by my Olympic dreams, I realized that this was not about my hopes for them, but completely about them. More astounding was that as I spoke with our riders I learned about what they were already doing for the next generation of cyclists, completely without "our" encouraging.

Adrien's women cyclist

As I probed the other riders, I learned that nearly all the riders were doing the exact same thing. Each had their own team, training them and giving them old equipment as they received new equipment.

An old Rwandan RPF solder came up to me and said "how did you fine such good guys to be on your team, they remind me of RPF solders". My response was "God was looking out for us".

This solder's reaction was about the best reaction I could have hoped for. RPF solders are known for their discipline, hard work, being extremely tough, and most importantly willing, to sacrifice themselves for the cause.

Putting the mirror upon myself, I felt ashamed. These guys have a fraction of what I have, in terms of resources and they are finding ways to give back faster and with less hesitation then I could have ever thought to do.

Humbled, is once again my state of mind. Team Rwanda is making me better by just being amongst them.

Warmest Regards,
Dan Cooper