In the loving memory of our beloved aunty Kevser Sezer, our cousins Meltem Zenbil and Mustafa Said Zenbil from Suleyman Kaya, Tugce Nur Debre & our daughter Suzanne Kaya. Narrated by Suleyman Kaya
Every year millions of people are forcibly displaced worldwide and end up in refugee camps. Unfortunately, many of them cannot even make it to the camp sites, as their lives come to an end during this painful journey.
Kevser, Meltem and Mustafa were only a few of them. Their lives tragically ending with their boat capsizing in Greece urged us to take action for humanity.
We have been working on a charity project since last year with Advocates for Dignity; cycling from Melbourne to Sydney. After hundreds of km in training rides, I finally set out on this long ride from Keysborough on 17 September 2022.
My wife and my daughter followed me with a car throughout this journey, which took us 9 days, and 1038 km to reach Sydney Opera House on 25 September 2022.
Our main aim was to raise awareness, and attract attention to the refugee crisis in Greece through this fundraising campaign.
Cycling is not only a sport if you are able to look at it with an eye of wisdom. This ride was more than physical training for us, it was an inner journey of feeling for others.
I could summarize my experience on the road in just 3 words: Hard, Dangerous and Uncertain all the way.
I guess, it is just a glimpse of what the people of no state go through in their lives every day, until they find freedom and peace of mind, and these may be the two most important things that one looks for in life.
During the ride, I tried to reflect on what it feels like to change your life, to end up with nothing and have to start from scratch. I guess, pain has different forms. The pain that we feel from a physical activity is temporary. But the one that is mental has long term affects. No one should be subject to the latter and nothing in this world is more valuable than a single human being’s life.
We have experienced that common problems of humanity resonate in the hearts of people regardless of their nation, religion, or backgrounds. We met some amazing people in Paynesville and Orbost.
After listening to our cause, Patsy, Coralie, and her husband donated generously to our fundraiser. We were also upgraded from powered camping sites to cabins without any issues when it was raining.
The road talks to you in its own language. It has pits and peaks. It gives you pain and then rewards. “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (Quran 94: 5-6)
That’s what life is all about, ups and downs. Difficulties are part of our lives. They’re easy if shared.
We are grateful to all who supported this ride financially and spiritually. Thanks to the Advocates for Dignity and Australian Relief Organisation, we were able to collect 8000+ AUD dollars to be transferred to the needy refugee families in Greece.
If you would like to support this cause, we still accept donations. Please use this link: https://gofund.me/07e94534 or
Search Melbourne to Sydney humanitarian ride in https://www.gofundme.com.
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