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Vincent Ogola lives in Nairobi, Kenya. He has made it his mission in life to promote skating in East Africa and get it recognized there as a sport. However in Nairobi, they lack the facilites in terms of skates and equipment. Vincent's plan was to get a link up with skating individuals and groups who are willing to dispose of used or second hand skating gear. He would buy these at a reasonable price in bulk and have them shipped over to Africa.

Word of Vincent's problem soon spread around the world via the internet. Finally, his plea for skates reach the computer of the GodFather of Skating in San Francisco, David "D" Miles. Every year from October through December. D and members of the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association present the Skate Against Violence Campaign. This is where C.O.R.A. collects used skates and give them to kids at Christmes time who miss out on the joy of skating. After reading about Vincent and the Blade Ryders, D began gathering and repairing what skates there were and prepared a shipment for Vincent.

C.O.R.A. is sending a total of 22 pairs of skates. Also included are extra wheels, some bearings, safety gear and other equipment. No, we are not charging Vincent for the skates. We are honored to be able to help him. The Skate Against Violence Campaign was designed for this exact situation. We at C.O.R.A. urge you to do the same. We are committed to see to it that the Blade Ryders will be rollin' very soon.

The following is a history of the group as presented in an e-mail by Vincent Ogola to D. Miles.

Blade Ryders was first started in 2001 for the good of bringing skaters from different parts of Nairobi together to share a common sport and have fun. Ever since Blade Ryders has had several achievements aimed at promoting the sport (skating) down here in Nairobi, Africa. I personally came up with a unique marketing gimmick which is still nascent in the Kenyan marketing scenario. This was by engaging skating in the entertainment industry using it as a form of entertainment and advertising. Appending below is list of a few of those charitable events which we have made contribution:

The Kenya Society for the Blind, Kenya Wildlife Services, Freedom from Hunger, The day of the African child.

We have also been making efforts to promote and foster talent from the grassroots. This was by the introduction of a coaching programme managed by Blade Ryders to bring the sport to the ordinary citizen (local mwananchi). This programme has been able to operate for a while thanks to the local sponsors. However, we lack sufficient facilities to exploit this program to the maximum so as to ensure everyone learns and has fun. The lacking facilities are in the form of skating boots, and protective gear (Knees, elbow, wrist, helmet)

My teams motto is "seize your opportunity and promote peace in Africa". This is aimed at campaigning for peace to our neighbouring countries who are experiencing regional and tribal conflicts. Blade Ryders has since evolved into an organization within the entertainment industry and has been viewed as a unique and aforce to reckon with as a form of entertainment as well as teaching people the sport (skating) and advertising/campaigning, this is normally done with the most experienced and talented skaters in Kenya. The skaters normally wear t-shirts and wave flags bearing the message to be communicated as per the events

theme while they glide through the city streets performing acrobatic stunts on roller blades.

Since we have a mutual interest in running up a well organized skating school with a view of promoting the sport. I will really appreciate if you would help us get sufficient reuseable roller blades, helmets, knees, wrist and elbow pads at an affordably disposal price preferrably a whole container full of skating equipment of which I will buy and ship to Africa by using my personal savings.

By you exploiting this opportunity, I guarantee you you will be going an extra mile of benefiting
extensively. We are looking forward in hope and without dismay to hearing the very positive from you.