Peace Ride 2000
    Their goal is to raise $100,000 to improve the lives of Dushanbe orphans. Peace Ride 2000 (PR2K) is a 9000 mile fund-raising bicycle expedition. The money will be used to purchase basic needs such as blankets, shoes, school supplies and support responsible programs already serving Dushanbe orphans. The Boulder-Dushanbe Sister Cities (BDSC) non-profit organization, which fully endorses Peace Ride 2000, will administer all money raised. The sister city relationship between Boulder, Colorado and Dushanbe,Tajikistan was established in 1983. This tie supports humanitarian aide efforts like Peace Ride 2000 that work to improve the lives of Tajikistan's people. According to a United Nations report from October 1998, 80% of Tajikistan's population live at the poverty line. Almost 50% remain unemployed after a series of politic crises, economic instability and food shortages since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1987, Dushanbe Mayor Maksud Ikramov visited Boulder to sign the formal sister city agreement. As a special gift in honor of the relationship, he announced Dushanbe's plan to give Boulder a traditional Tajik teahouse. Its construction began in Dushanbe in April 1988 and was finished in late fall 1989. Disassembled and packed into 200 crates, the teahouse was sent to Boulder in the summer of 1990, where it sat in storage for nine years, awaiting funds to rebuild it on the Boulder site. Finally, in May 1998, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse opened its doors to the public. Visitors can now enjoy exotic and flavorful teas and meals in the tranquil setting. In just a few months, the Teahouse will be the point of departure for the fund-raising expedition. Those who would like to pledge a contribution or volunteer their time in this effort, can call or write for more information. A $9 pledge---one dollar per mile---will help the more than 55,000 children who lost their parents during the civil war of 1992. Fitness-minded volunteers can participate in a 9-mile, non-competitive community bike ride on the streets and paths of Boulder on June 19, 1999. To learn more, call 303/449-1120 or e-mail.