August 25, 2011

Ristig puts the Davidson College tuk-tuk number 004 through its paces in an off-road practice session.

by Cathryn Westra

For nine days and 1,000 kilometers this summer Eli Kahn'13 and Colin Ristig '13 drove a three-wheeled "tuk-tuk" in India through crazy traffic of bikes, cars, trucks and animals on a fundraising mission for the non-profit organization Unite To Light (UTL).

Described by event coordinators as "a covered bicycle with a fuel-efficient lawn-mower engine," the tuk-tuk, more formally known as an "auto rickshaw," is a common means of transportation in India. Weighing just 1,300 pounds, the rickshaw has a single cylinder engine that generates just seven horsepower, for a cruising speed of about 35 miles per hour.

Kahn and Ristig were among seven teams of tuk-tuk drivers participating in one of a dozen or so annual "Rickshaw Challenges" organized by Chennai Event Management Services, a private tour company. "The Rickshaw Challenge is a perfect match for individuals wanting to participate in their vacation rather than simply witness it," reads the challenge Web site.

Tuk-tuks coming and going as drivers test their machines at the beginning of the trip.

In addition to getting from Point A to Point B each day, participants earned points by completing tasks such as taking pictures at a specific gas station. Tasks were not mandatory, but boosted team standings. The only requirement was to reach a specific checkpoint within a time frame. Each evening teams stayed at the same hotel and enjoyed a dinner together. A company support vehicle traveled along with the participants to provide mechanical and logistical services.

"There was a point system but not a strong sense of competition," said Kahn.

The two students decided ahead of time to give their adventure another dimension by using it to raise funds for charity. Ristig, who has family ties to UTL, knew the organization wanted to expand operations in India. He recognized the challenge as a chance to raise awareness for the expansion and have fun at the same time.

(l-r) Kahn and Ristig with administrators at one of the schools where they gave solar powered high-efficiency lights to young students so they can safely study after dark.

UTL provides solar powered high-efficiency lighting to people without electricity throughout the world. The students raised money by soliciting donations from friends and family, selling t-shirts and setting up a Davidson-rickshaw blog. Each received the support of a Dean Rusk International Studies Program travel grant. Kahn, a MacDonald Scholar involved with the Bonner Program, also received a grant from the Center for Civic Engagement.

Kahn said, "The Rickshaw Challenge was originally just a crazy idea, but when we found out that we could tie it to UTL's interest in India we decided to apply for grants and go for it."

The two ended up raising enough money to distribute solar-power high efficiency lights to more than 300 schoolchildren. For four days prior to the beginning of the challenge, Kahn and Ristig visited schools of those receiving the lights.

"The children live in poor areas around New Delhi," said Khan. "They have limited access to electricity and would otherwise have to study using kerosene lamps, which are dangerous and are not environmentally friendly."
Ristig and Kahn now hope to continue helping UTL in Davidson.

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,900 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C. Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages, giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.
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