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Indlovu Drive 2011 Trans-Africa Expedition

Article by World of Land Rover, words and photos from harris.gb.net

DISABLED VENTURER, RICHARD HARRIS, HAS USED A WHEELCHAIR AND ELBOW CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND FOLLOWING A RUGBY ACCIDENT IN 1986. TOGETHER WITH HIS WIFE RACHEL, HE IS PLANNING TO UNDERTAKE A MAMMOTH OVERLAND DRIVE, FROM ZULULAND IN SOUTH AFRICA, ALL THE WAY BACK TO BRITAIN.

This is the kind of article I really enjoy. When you see on TV our on a magazine an article about someone that’s going to do something great for charity it almost feel like they live in another World, without the hardships and worries of “normal people”. Of course they have to find money for the trip as well as raising the funds for the charities they chose to support, but it almost seams effortless…

I read on in their blog, where Richard writes about their plans and the Defender preparation but also about bank loans and how they are going to pay for it all. These are normal people, like you and me, with jobs and mortgages and bills like the ones we pay. The difference is we’re sitting down reading about it on our computers but they are actually doing something worth mentioning.

What’s the story?

Richard has been living with the effects of a spinal cord injury since, as a rather clumsy 19 year-old rugby player; he single-handedly managed to break his neck. Since then he has trained and practised as an Occupational Therapist and through his love of rugby, wildlife and photography, has been drawn to visit South Africa many times. Luckily these are passions that Rachel shares too. The couple have self-driven many miles of photographic safari in that beautiful country, but are now desperate to explore more of the continent.

Richard explains, “We first visited South Africa in ’96 on a rugby tour. It was supposed to be ‘the’ trip of a lifetime – but we found, as have many others, that Africa grabs you – it gets under your skin – and so we have been back many times since. The challenges that people face given the fates of history and politics are incredible and inspiring. Every time we go back it’s different. You cannot fail to be moved by peoples’ spirit and resilience.”

Richard, Rachel and the Azalai Defender

So why the long trek?

“On our second visit, I distinctly remember seeing a French badged Land Rover Discovery in Hluhluwe game reserve. I thought ‘Wow, it’s possible to drive here from Europe!’ – Now that really is special. We looked into it but at the time there wasn’t a vehicle that could do the trip and let me stay independent in my self-care regimen. Things have moved on, and with buying and adapting the Azalai, we are now in touching distance of realising a very special ambition.

Both cite the personal development that comes from taking on such a venture. “It’s like doing another degree” Richard says, “The planning, research and reading is eating up the hours. It’s great fun though and it’s already a fulfilling experience before we’ve even driven a mile.” Rachel has her work cut out too, “I have somelessons in vehicle mechanics and maintenance booked, it’s essential that we can at least service the Land Rover as we go. This is certainly a new area for me but I am relishing the challenge and the experience.”

“The other children include me now. I can easily visit my friends and get to school. My wheelchair can cope with the rough ground here. It's good to have a chair that fits me, an adult's wheelchair would be too difficult to push.”

Land mines are a constant threat to children

Motivation – The charity
The Harris’ are proudly supporting the Bristol based charity ‘Motivation’. Their aim is to raise the profile of disabled people throughout the world and they have several projects in the countries to be traversed. Motivation’s work is categorised by three key issues: mobility, empowerment and inclusion. Their activities include the design and provision of low-cost appropriate wheelchairs, vocational training programmes to help disabled people access and lobby for their rights in society, and they work with other organisations to include disabled people into their work and programmes. By focusing in these areas they aim to positively impact on the physical, social and economic situation of people with mobility disabilities.

There is a clear synergy given Richard’s history and his career in Occupational Therapy. “I am really thrilled that Motivation are letting us support them and their work. Most people will be shocked to know that the U.N. Statistical Office estimates there are 20 million people in the world who need a wheelchair but don’t have one – so anything to help is welcome.”

 

The Azalai Camper – Land Rover 130 Conversion

The Azalai promises accessible living and sleeping space, masses of equipment storage, catering facilities suitable for long hauls and crucially, to meet Richard’s care needs, even an onboard toilet & shower. This is a truly special vehicle that makes the adventure a reality for Richard and Rachel. All they need now is just a little help and support, some more hard work and the best of luck ….

A ‘grafted living pod’ fitted by OEC Ltd, utilizes the very latest, lightweight but strong, insulating, vacuum moulded composite materials. Extra fuel and water tanks are under the floor, storage is all below window height. This preserves stability and agility. “We’ve invested more than our life savings to cover the £70k gross cost” confesses Richard, “But there really is no other vehicle as suitable or as adaptable for this trip.” (Because of his disability Richard had to spend an extra £10k fitting an Ashcroft automatic gearbox, hand-controls, and a lift to access the pod.) But what about eight months sharing a 2.5×1.8m living space come rain or shine? Over to Rachel, “Based upon our photo-safari experience to date, it turns out we do remain compatible.” A good job too!

Know more about the Richard and Rachel’s adventure, the Azalai camper and Motivation’s work and how you can help.

Tags: adaptation, Africa, Azalai, biography, Build, Charity, disability, Ethics, finance, funding, money, motivation, Overland, philosophy, Press, Resources, Sponsorship, wheelchair, www.motivation.org.uk

In part, I’m sure due to work’s Communications Team helping to distribute our Press Release – there has been if not a flurry exactly, a swell of interest from a couple of media organisations. 

BBC Radio Devon

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting BBC Radio Devon’s Sophie Pierce, for what was my first radio interview. We had a brief, preparatory chat about my background and history, and then we were straight in. Luckily for both me and the potential listener it was all recorded rather than live. I did advise Sophie that I can “go on a bit” – and between nerves, inexperience and maybe by even having a story to tell, I did just that! 

The paradox is that I’ll have to listen to whatever she can edit together to remember what it was that I actually said. All I can hope is that there’s enough there to be of interest to anyone who listens to the finished piece. I certainly plugged Motivation. Hopefully some of the stats reflecting the size of the challenge that their work is trying to address will make it into the final edit. 

E.G.  You do the maths on this: The numbers are obscenely staggering and illustrate an under-publicised, modern day, global scandal in my view….. 

“It is estimated

• that only 2% of people with disabilities in low-income countries have access to rehabilitation and appropriate basic services.
• Nearly 90% of the global burden of disability occurs in low-income countries, the very countries where so little is spent on rehabilitation. Anyone with a disability is automatically disadvantaged because disability makes poverty worse. It increases isolation and economic strain for the affected family as well as the individual. Statistics show that children with disabilities are more likely to die young, become malnourished or neglected. Disabled people who are denied education are then unable to find employment and the circle becomes more vicious.”

Anyway, as far as my Andy Warhol (15) moment(s), I suppose that I shouldn’t be too perturbed, as the Royal Geographic Society’s guidance on radio production says that in general, 100 minutes of raw material is needed to make just 1 minute of good listening!

Sophie couldn’t be sure when exactly it will go out – but thought it would probably be on the BBC Radio Devon Breakfast Show sometime (0600 – 0900,  103.4 FM | 95.7 FM)

Brixham News (the free paper) have also shown an interest and I have sent them some pictures (heavily photoshopped of course!) and some detail on what we are hoping to achieve.  Karen from BN has said that they hope to get something published in the next couple of weeks.

We can only hope that this is the beginning of a lot of good publicity as that can only help with fundraising. Certainly it was another novel experience enjoyed as a result of undertaking this project.

Tags: Africa, biography, Charity, disability, Ethics, motivation, philosophy, Press, Publicity, Sponsorship, www.motivation.org.uk

OEC advise, “Just to say your truck is now motoring along – bush kit complete, rock sliders fabricated and fitted…     The pod is inside and the parts all unwrapped so by next week there will be plenty of dust and cutting going on too!! I [Anton] have also found a neat reversing camera with 7” screen that replaces the rear view mirror rather than in the passenger’s way. I only have a card template at present whilst the boys confirm the fittings and then we can send you the details.”

The costings/inventory spreadsheet is working up nicely too (with help from Rachel). It’s surprising to see how much gear we have already accumulated over the last year. The list is looking pretty comprehensive, but adding costs will take some time. (I also want it to record weight of items to ensure things stay safely in hand.) I have asked Anton if he could price a tariff of spares for us, as getting these prices from the Internet is proving to be difficult. (Andre in KZN – I might be checking with you too to see how things look in ZAR – be warned! I see the Rand is strong vs Sterling just now though).

If anyone should be looking to support our venture, this list will help to demonstrate our own contribution to date, and the areas where any help would be most welcome.

I have also found a couple of charities in Africa that might be able to gain some benefit from our endeavour. Whereas tourism is recognised across the continent as a real, sustainable and viable source of (increasing) income; with much of it arriving overland – we would feel far more congruent if we were giving something more ‘directed’ back. It might be argued that such gestures are small and barely relevant when viewed in the context of the vast whole – but we are sure that the charities we have in mind will fit nicely with our experiences in life and of the continent to date. I will not give anymore away just yet as I want to approach the organisations in scope directly to seek their approval first – but I’m sure that they will be causes that our supporters will get behind. In particular there is scope for schools in the UK to get involved, and I have had some preliminary discussions with friends in the teaching profession.

Possible Route RSA KZN - UK Devon

Of course fundraising for charities will only work if we realise the trip itself – and that remains a paradox of expedition funding. We need money for the trip (on top of the tens of thousands we have committed personally) just to get there and back  - and in turn raise a few thousand more for our identified causes (I was going to say ‘worthy’ causes – but that would be so cliched! Still trust me – I know you’ll like them – and yes we will be tapping you at every opportunity once announced). We will  be documenting the trip in the media of stills photography and audio recording. I suspect that between now and then we should be able to rustle up a camcorder too. The blog will also provide an ongoing journal of the Expedition. In other words we will be able to keep supporters palpably updated with progress and our learning along the way.

At this time I’d like to form a small project group to help with fundraising and logistics. I have people in mind, and I’m sure you know who you might be, so please feel free to offer help in the meantime if you feel you want to be involved with something just a little different from the old routine.

Maps, Routes and Stuff:

I ordered the  Ultimate Africa Atlas ISBN 978-1–86809-924-5 Published by MapStudio, 2007, Hardback Bought from Amazon.co.uk a bargain at £25.95. The order was p+p free under their supersaver delivery – ordered Tuesday, delivered Thursday (why pay Amazon for next day?) It will be a useful adjunct to the Michelin maps and T4A as it is easy to manage in the hands with the main pages being 1 : 1 500 000. There are some city centre street plans (T4A stresses it is not a intra city navigator) and some slightly more detailed maps of parks and reserves too.

We have a tentative route planned and I’ll try and get that published in a more detailed graphic form soon with some formidable stats too. We are favouring ship-out, drive back. We would start in Zululand – hopefully from one of the locale of one of the projects we are looking to support.

These pages should liven up a bit now as things are gathering momentum. Stay tuned (OK that’s another cliche but what the heck). I’ve promised you a lot more detail, but please bear with me whilst I fashion it all up into enjoyable, user friendly chunks……

Tags: Africa, Azalai, Books, Build, Charity, Ethics, funding, Info, money, OEC, reading, Reference, Specification, Sponsorship, T4A, Vehicle, Weight

BBC Podcast. Africa Today: African news and analysis from the BBC’s Focus on Africa and Network Africa programmes; the Africa Today podcast contains the day’s top stories from the continent – available to download Monday to Friday from 1630 GMT.

Tags: Africa, Info, Resources

After the ‘phoney war’ of “yeah we’re planning an Africa trip”, “Oh, when are you going?” – “Uhh, Oh, it depends”…. The hardware is of course now coming together, so we’ve pulled our finger out with regards to logistics planning.

As we’ve mentioned we have a rudimentary schedule of countries and the time of year we’d ideally like to be in each one. So the next step is to put some meat onto those bones. We’ve taken tips from the blogs of others (thanks to due to everyone) and we’ve been poring over the Michelin maps and making lots of “Here there be treasure” type crosses and markings in pencil. Whereas this is essential (to literally get ones bearings) – it is also limited when compared to the benefits offered by GPS technology and the brilliant concept of Tracks for Africa (T4A).

T4A started life as a benevolent project, to use GPS data, recorded by overland travellers, in order to map Africa’s byways. By collating the mass of data submitted over many years and moderating it, to distill out ‘real’ routes and points of interest (POI) – the present offering is very comprehensive indeed. With two updates every year it is pretty current (good as roads and byways can come and go with the weather in Africa). It is a work of genius and its significance in all sorts of applications on the ground cannot be overstated – and like all the best ideas it is a simple one. Check out the link to T4A for more details. Importantly, GPS gives you very accurate handle on distance (and T4A annotate the type and state of roads) – just the detail needed to attribute likely journey times for each leg. Plus you can (relatively) easily explore different options on the computer (let down by Garmin’s limited software functionality). T4A for the whole of (charted) Africa can be downloaded for a very modest ZAR 750 (£68)- a steal when compared to Garmin’s own expensive proprietary maps for Europe.

We already have viable routes for Egypt outlined – and it’s proving to be great fun. certainly putting metaphorical pins in placenames, thinking about times and routes and researching is making things feel very, very real

We still need to determine the ‘Drive Out-Ship Back vs Ship Out-Drive Back” and the ‘Via’ to/from Cairo/UK (I’m favouring France, Italy <> Greece, Turkey, Syria, Jordan <> Egypt; but my head says that might be too much time for our schedule and something that could be covered in a future trip. IE We might have to be more direct to Egypt – subject to sums and deliberations….) Still, the favourable advice regarding the Carnet means we have little/less need to consider the Ship-in <> Ship-Out option.

Our aim now must be to get a well specified, tangible plan together that could allow for travel as early as next year (prefreable) – and even if we are delayed to have something robust enough to pull of the shelf the year after.

Tags: Africa, Carnet, Egypt, Equipment, Gear, Info, motivation, Overland, Reference, Resources, software, T4A