A group of cyclists from four countries pedaled more than 540 kilometres through the districts of Zomba, Machinga, and Mangochi where they planted seeds of change in communities they passed through.
This was Ride to Transform (R2T) 2025, a grassroots initiative using bicycles as a tool to bring people together, spark conversations, and promote values like health, education, and entrepreneurship.
The event was organised by Sports Link, a programme under Operation Mobilisation (OM), a non-profit organisation which focuses on holistic community transformation, according to finance development officer for the organisation Himidi Nwaka Mbewe.
One of the local riders Chimwemwe Kanusu
highlited that the activity touched people’s lives as the cyclists went to meet people in their communities with a message of hope.
“It’s not just about the fitness. “It’s about showing up in people’s lives and showing we care.”
The route took the team through hills, villages, forests, and along the shores of Lake Malawi. As they cycle, they stopped to meet traditional leaders, talked to school children, engaged with women’s groups, and encouraged people to work together for a better future.
The cyclists, drawn from different cultures and backgrounds, shared meals, slept in local homes, and immersed themselves in community life.
Their message was simple: transformation does not always need big budgets—just commitment, connection, and a little creativity.
A participant from Finland, Anna Heikkila, said the experience changed her just as much as it impacted those they visited.
She said: “From Chawe Mountain to Liwonde and back to Machinga, we not only saw transformation in the villages, but also in ourselves.”
At every stop, the R2T team took time to encourage local people to think about long-term change. Some sessions were also held on entrepreneurship, ethics, and collective action. Through the sessions, people were encouraged to believe in their potential and work together to uplift their communities.
One evening, after a long ride and a warm welcome at one of the villages, the team sat around a campfire to reflect on the activities for the day.
“That moment reminded me why this matters.
“It’s not just a ride—it’s a journey of hope,” said Heikkila, the Finnish rider.
Another R2T team member Gert Daling concurred with Heikkila saying its the little things that sometimes bring hope to many.
He said: “People are looking for healing and hope. Sometimes, what you love, like cycling, can be the very thing that brings healing to others.”
