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A family, a dream, action
Denisa Udroiu
Jeffrey Polnaja smiles broadly throughout our discussion. This 46 year-old Indonesian rides solo, with only his camera and all belonging on a bike, around the world, for peace. His story seems simple: 10 years ago, his sons, then 9 and 12, impressed by all the violence they were seeing on tv, asked him to do something, with the confidence only kids can have in their parent's abilities to change the world. As he answered them back "What can I do?" they replied: "You are a good rider. Ride. Ride for peace."
And this is how the adventure unwinded slowly, up to 2006, when he was bid farewell by 800 motorbikers in Indonesia as he was getting on his specially geared BMW to spread the message of peace.
He has travelled to over 72 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. He was already twice in Finland. On May this year he is starting a tour meant to bring him through 40 more countries in North and South America, then to Australia. He made friends everywhere - people offer him shelter, he is helped to fix his bike. Indonesia's missions abroad help when he is around. He is meeting his family regularly in Europe. Media relays to the public his message of peace. But I guess that he has more to say than the serenity of his warm smile suggests.
He almost lost his life when a drunken truck driver hit him and left him for dead in the Desert of Baluchistan. He was robbed of all his fortune, 10 000 euros, as his bag fell and opened when he was threatened at gunpoint. He slept under the sky. He had to negotiate his passage with landlords in war zones - it took him 8 hours to make 60 km that day, and his life hung on a nod of some local chief. He was offered a gun to defend himself in an area where if you do not sport a gun, you are dead. But his openess and determination have got him through it all. Some were thinking he is crazy and let him pass. Others admired his venture and let him pass.
What did he learn? " This has been a journey of self discovery. I learned I can rely on myself in all situations. I learned to trust people. I learned that all that people want is security. Is peace. Even those shouting with guns in their hands want their families to live unthreatened."
To watch Jeffrey's itineraries, videos and more go to his site www.rideforpeace.info
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