Francistown — Two American students, Aaron Bodansky (22) and Eric Silverman (22) are riding their bicycles around Africa in a bid to send a positive message about the continent.

The two started their journey on June 11 in Cape Town, South Africa to Nairobi, Kenya. They will cover an approximate distance of 5,000 kilometers when they complete their feat on August 19, 2009. They arrived in Botswana this week and worked hand-in-hand with Botswana Tourism Board (BTB).

"Our mission is to combat Western prejudices and popular misconceptions regarding the African continent by demonstrating the goodwill and hospitality of the African people," said Bodansky. He told Mmegi yesterday that Africa has been negatively perceived as family and friends usually narrate to him bad stories about the continent. Bodansky said he was once told that there are very high chances of a visitor to Africa being devoured by wild animals like lions.

"We are trying to promote a better understanding of Africa in the Western world," Silverman said. He added that there is a misconception about the black continent as it has been characterised as violent, crime-infested, poverty-stricken and corrupt.

The two Americans said they will actively engage with Africans and work to promote cultural understanding. Silverman and Bodansky are focusing on positive things that people have reluctantly exposed about the continent.

To promote the cause and support their mission, the two created Cycle for Understanding, a non-profit corporation. Cycle for Understanding will help Silverman and Bodansky to raise awareness, communicate their experiences, and achieve their objectives before, during, and after the journey.

As their journey continues, the two are filming a documentary that will be shown to the world as a way of changing views about Africa. The duo is on an exchange programme at the University of Cape Town. By relying on the support of individuals and communities throughout their journey, the two hope to actively reduce negative stereotypes and promote a positive image of Africa to the West.

BTB organised a press brief for the cyclists in Francistown yesterday. BTB spokesman, Thabiso Leshoai said that their role is to facilitate and ensure the cyclists' safe passage through Botswana.

BTB is assisting the cyclists to gain media coverage and to maximise the spread of their intended message which is to share the beauties of Africa through electronic and print media; improve the general geographic appreciation and level of modernisation and development, peace and tranquility that exists in Botswana and other countries with people throughout the US and the West.

Before reaching their destination, Silverman and Bodansky will pass through Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.