Updates

Joel Kyaviro appeared on the Cycling Legends Podcast alongside journalist Bill Donahue for an episode titled Under African Skies: Joel Kyaviro and the Road to the World Stage.

They discuss Joel's journey as a Congolese cyclist, his racing ambitions, and the challenges and opportunities involved in reaching the international stage.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts ↗

Back to School Supplies, Rides, and Hope! Our 1st Tumaini Academy Back-to-School event was a huge success! 💛🩵❤️

More than 90 children came to collect school supplies to start the year off right. We spent $250 of the GiveButter money raised to-date and distributed everything purchased. We shared notebooks, pens, pencils and simple supplies; we paired the distribution with some small challenges and bike races. This was a very special moment - our first back-to-school event.

Joel is still not able to get back into Goma as a result of the ongoing DRC travel restrictions, but he was able to connect by video call to share a special message with the children 💛 We spoke with many parents as well, told them more about our mission. We got great feedback from many families and appreciate their support deeply.

With your help - we have built 11 bikes - ready to ride, race, and inspire hope. The bikes are doing amazing and we need more! We have SO MUCH interest and excitement from the families and the 90+ children. Imagine sharing 11 bikes between 90 kids - imagine what each dollar can do in that situation! We're doing it together! Your direct cash support made this possible, and it's still just the beginning 💪

Tumaini is working on systems to get even more school supplies to the children so they can continue to excel. A bike racer needs a bike, the children in school need everything we can give to them. By encouraging both in tandem, we make it joyful, challenging, and exciting.

This was our first major back-to-school effort and we helped twice as many children as we expected to. We shared supplies with 90+ children and encouraged them to ride and race and challenge themselves. One week after the event, we were blessed to see one of Tumaini's brightest young stars achieve a 3rd place finish in one of Goma Cycling Club's official races!!!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen 🙏 Please share our campaign with a friend today who you think would be inspired to see it.

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Journalist Bill Donahue tells Joel Kyaviro's remarkable story in Now Voyager. The feature follows his journey through extraordinary challenges and his pursuit of a future in professional cycling.

It's an opportunity to learn more about the rider behind Tumaini Cycling Academy and the determination that inspires the next generation.

Read “Revolutions” by Bill Donahue in Now Voyager ↗

Thank you for your support of Tumaini - Greg Ralich here, writing to share some good news and hope :)

Joel and I talk all the time on WhatsApp and it's been an exciting summer. Tumaini Cycling Academy have organized a small event that will take place to get the children of Tumaini excited about going back to school. Changes in the DRC government have impacted the academic calendar but we are utilizing a small portion of funds raised to-date to get the kids school supplies to support their education. We are excited to get them excited :) Tumaini means hope in Swahili this hope we are building connects school, sport, and life. Children who participate in school can get access to bikes, races, and more supplies for them to continue to build hope for tomorrow. We aim to make this a positive feedback loop -- school success to more bike riding, to training and racing, and of course pure fun. We are all excited to give the children challenges and opportunities to get excited about. Joel Kyaviro has been such a source of hope - his bike racing, success and even podiums and RACE WINS inspire everyone connected to Tumaini. Joel is so humble when we chat, always highlighting that the children, Tumaini, and the work Jimmy and Pomba are doing is the #1 most important of all. Since I last wrote Joel has been the first person from DRC to win a UCI race, he placed Top 10 at the African Gravel Champs and more - inspiring to say the least. We have our sights set on the $5000 goal and will continue to publish more of our purchases, budgeting, planning and more. We have additional support from new people, we're all connected, and we look forward to a new written piece coming soon from Bill Donahue. Follow @tumainicyclingacademy on Instagram and share a post that inspires you or gives you hope. The photos and video are so powerful!

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June 2026 - Admin Update Greetings friends of Tumaini Cycling Academy! My name is Greg Ralich - I was connected to Tumaini and Joel Kyaviro, like several of you, through the writings of Bill Donahue. I live in New England and have been a passionate advocate for bikes and their riders my whole life. I have been proud to support Joel and Bill so far and am happy to step up at their request to manage this GiveButter page. I will share regular updates through my chats with Joel and Tumaini and proudly present their progress here on GB. Thank you for the support you have provided so far (why you’re likely receiving this update). If, like me, Tumaini has been a major source of inspiration and HOPE for you - I hope you’ll consider sharing this work further this year as we ramp up efforts to raise more funds for the bikes, education, and hope children of Goma. If you follow Joel - you probably know that 2026 has already been full of amazing accomplishments and that there is such a great line of inspiration through Joel to Tumaini. Count me among the most excited to watch the next few years of this hard work blossom. Please feel free to connect to me directly with any questions and I will make myself available and accountable to the fundraising and great work done already.

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