Italian Cyclist Motivates Walvis Bay Youth

Pupils of Duinesig Combined School at Walvis Bay recently enjoyed a motivational talk that aimed to make them think about their choices in life.

The pupils were privileged to be visited by a competitive cyclist from Italy, Davide Travelli, who has been practicing the sport for 13 years. Travelli has embarked on a long journey across the Americas that turned into an around-the-world bike expedition, with the intention to cross all the continents.

He recently ended up in

Namibia, and decided to make a stop at Walvis Bay. “It was my dream to cross Namibia because I like the desert and looking up at the stars so when I got to Africa, I knew I had to head east but only after I crossed Namibia. I love Walvis Bay.”

He shared his dream with pupils about crossing the world with his bike and played a short video about his journey. “I continued my trip, although I ran out of money a long time ago. The ultimate message is that if a person with no particular skill or resources like me can do it, everybody can and most importantly, it’s never a lack of resources that stops people’s dreams but lack of resourcefulness,” he said.

Travelli wants young people to know that it is not an option to give up on their dreams, just because of challenges. He will travel through Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe. The cyclist recently completed crossing the Americas by pedalling 35 000km and sold his bike to pay for flight tickets to Cape Town. He has since received a new bike and is continuing his journey crossing Africa. After Namibia, Egypt is his next destination.

Upon leaving Walvis Bay, he will be heading to Rundu, then across the Caprivi Strip whereafter he starts a new journey into eastern Africa. He motivates young people wherever he ends up and has already visited some schools in Latin America.

“We really learnt a lot from him and enjoyed hearing about his world adventures. I now know that small things are not supposed to discourage me. It takes a lot of patience and courage to make your dream come true,” said Grade 8 pupil Cornelia Andreas.