Justine Gerardy, Moira Shaw and Noleen Read from South Africa are on an adventure mission, driving an autorickshaw from Shillong in the Northeast to Kochi in the South, for a global cause of raising funds to save rainforests in the world.
The team “Out of Africa” left Shillong on August 2 along with 82 other teams from various countries as part of the annual Rickshaw Run, organised by Cool Earth, a U.K.-based non-governmental organisation, passed by the city on their way to Kochi on Friday. The Rickshaw Run is traversing a distance of about 4,000 km.
Team leader Moira Shaw said that she had been participating in the Rickshaw Run for the third time. “Rickshaws are the best way to experience India. It goes slowly and people are amazed and delighted to see foreigners driving the rickshaw. People are also very happy to see us visiting India in this way. I have travelled more than 12,000 km across the length and breadth of India in an autorickshaw and it is the best way to see this fantastic country,” Shaw said.
The multicoloured autorickshaw is loaded with all basic amenities and the three take turns driving the machine. The team drives for 400 km per day before breaking for the night.
The Rickshaw Run has been challenging and difficult at times with bad roads and rash drivers and breakdowns. There is no set route and each team decides along the way with the help of maps.
“We broke down while driving through the Western Ghats at night. A very kind family took us into their home for the night and got us a mechanic to fix the rickshaw early in the morning. The mechanic did not charge us and we were able to reach Kochi,” said Justine Gerardy.
People refused to take money, offered them directions and had gone out of their way to help them. It was a very exciting, different way to see the real India, she said.
Out of Africa Rickshaw Run also has a Facebook page which carries a mile-by-mile account of the journey.
According to an update, the team had successfully concluded the run in Kochi on August 21, after “17 days on the road and driving more than 4,000 kms in a rickshaw.”
In a subsequent update the team states: “Handed in the keys. Final post - thanks for all the fantastic support. We ended up winning the award for the most charity funds raised - big thumbs up to all who donated. Thank you India for being so extraordinary.”
I have travelled more than 12,000 km across India in an autorickshaw and it is the best way to see this fantastic country
Moira Shaw
Team leader
