A Stellies Lecturer embarked on an incredible ‘600km in 6 days’ cycle—all to alleviate the financial burdens of her chemistry students:
Western Cape, South Africa (04 April 2024) — Stellenbosch University lecturer Dr Marietjie Lutz has undertaken a big cycle for a cause! Driven by the Stellies lecturer and a dream to enact tangible change in her students’ lives, Dr Lutz signed up for a massive bike tour of 600 kilometres from George to Stellenbosch in a time wrap of just six days.
Dubbed ‘Wheels of Opportunity’ by Stellenbosch University, the initiative is all to help finance her students in their educational pursuits!
As a lecturer of first-year chemistry students, Dr Lutz knows first-hand the financial challenges her students face en route to their dreams. No matter their potential or brilliance, financial obstacles can easily dull even the brightest sparks.
Despite the resilience of many students in these situations, a little help and effort always goes a long way—which is exactly why lecturers and students (like the incredible Sarah Camp who also cycled to help her fellow peers) go such great lengths for the cause.
However, it was one student in particular who inspired Dr Lutz’s ‘Wheels of Opportunity’ initiative.
“The student was on the brink of homelessness and food insecurity. Despite facing immense financial stress, this determined student excelled academically, demonstrating resilience and determination,” shares Dr Lutz.
As of 29 March, the Stellies lecturer decided to take the Easter Weekend as the perfect opportunity to embark on a pursuit with her students’ challenges in mind (she has before used her love of long-distance cycling to empower students, including the Cape Epic!)
Adding the extra heartwarming feels of this story, the Stellies lecturer was not alone on the recent long road to Stellenbosch, thanks to her husband and four children who hit the road alongside her. According to Dr Lutz, this was part of the family’s travel theme—gratitude.
Through demanding roads through Oudtshoorn all the way to Greyton, yesterday, the family of cyclists completed their final kilometres.
“We had the best support one could dream of…so many messages and financial contributions from family and many, many friends and colleagues,” Dr Lutz shared.
In total, all the individual GivenGain campaigns have rallied R34,050 of the R60,000.
You can toss in some support here!
by 