It's her wish that every child could be brought up in a loving home as she herself was but sadly that's not the case for many. With that in mind Tana Silverland has embarked a journey of a lifetime in an effort to raise both funds and awareness for a cause in which she believes deeply. Last week she made a stop in Yorkton.
Silverland is pedalling from coast to coast across Canada to share the story of SOS Children's Villages and she hopes to reach as many people as possible.
Relatively new to Canada, Silverland hails from the UK and it's there she says, that she learned of SOS and realized she wanted to be involved.
As a volunteer she says, she learned more and more about the organization and the more she learned, the more she liked.
"I became more and more inspired and more impressed," she says adding, when she came to Canada, she wanted to boost SOS efforts here. A visitor to Canada a number of years back, Silverland says she fell in love with the country and made it her mission to call Canada home. She combined her two loves and so her story unfolds.
"I decided I wanted to do something more than the volunteer work I had been doing and so I ended up on this journey that brought me here to Yorkton today."
SOS Villages is the world's largest orphan charity says Silverland, "and they are focused on providing family-based care for orphaned and abandoned children or vulnerable children all around the world - giving them a safe, secure place to be throughout their childhood and perhaps most importantly, giving them a mom who loves them.
"Having been so blessed, so lucky to have that myself as I was growing up I am able to appreciate just what a huge difference that makes as a child growing up... I just passionately want to make sure that every child in the world gets that same loving start. Every kid deserves that, every kid needs that and this is what SOS Children's Villages is providing.
"They do not build orphanages, they actually build family homes, essentially they build families. They bring orphans of different ages together and put them in a family home with an SOS mother. They get to grow up together as a normal, loving family and I think that's just the most wonderful gift you can give to a child."
Villages have been set up all around the world says Silverland. in more than 130 countries. "Right across America, Europe, Africa, Asia, right here in Canada to China and Japan.
"All around the world they are helping children wherever there is a need and sadly, there is a need in every country."
SOS Villages don't come without a price tag though and that's where Silverland's journey comes in.
"Through this journey, my hope is to raise awareness as well as funds."
Because SOS wants as much money as possible to go towards children in need, it spends very little on advertising and marketing she says. "My goal is to bring the charity to people's attention and inspiring them hopefully with some of the passion that I feel."
Silverland set out on her journey from Whitehorse in June of 2010. She plans to reach the coast of Newfoundland by the fall of 2012. She began with no previous cycling experience and it's been an adventure she will never forget.
"The weather has thrown pretty much everything it possibly can at me... the drivers here in Canada have been extremely courteous as I'm out there pedalling in torrential rains or whatever the case may be...
"The whole journey just grew from the passion I feel. It's certainly been an extremely steep learning curve... a very long road... I've deliberately kept away from direct routes just so I could reach as many communities as I possibly can. I've been looping around all over the place... but it has been certainly a fantastic introduction to my new home country..."
In spite of the fact cycling wasn't a part of her everyday life, Silverland says her friends and family were not overly surprised when she announced her plan.
"Anyone who knows me knows I have a little bit of a history of insane ideas, but they were all very happy for me..."Silverland says she was seriously ill before embarking on her journey and having seen her go through trying times, those who knew her were thrilled to see her well and able to make such a trek.
"My mom does worry about me but I keep reminding her it's technically her fault I'm doing this because had it not been for the love that she showed me while I was growing up I quite possibly wouldn't have the passion that I have."
During her travels Silverland took the opportunity to visit an SOS Village firsthand, just outside of Vancouver.
"It truly was an inspiring visit. Certainly if I hadn't already been incredibly passionate about this I most certainly would have been by the time I left the village... the work, the dedication, the commitment that the staff have to the children and the difference they are making is phenomenal and worth giving up your life for two and a half years for. It's worth whatever it takes to help them to get the support they need."
Silverland hopes others will be touched when they learn about SOS and also support the cause.
Travelling on her own without a support vehicle she says she is not encouraging people to give her cash for security reasons but she does depend on kindness and is accepting cheques. Travelling without a budget means Silverland has to plan far ahead, lining up host homes along her route and relying on the people to help her with her cause.
While she's already been through Yorkton, people can still help out and still share her message.
Donations can be made online by visiting: tanasilverland.wordpress.com. Visitors to the site can also learn more about SOS and follow Silverland's journey.
It's her goal to raise $60,000 - the money it takes to support an entire SOS family for two and one half years.
As a charity that is active in East Africa, Silverland says any donations made prior to September 16 will be matched by the Canadian government.
"So I strongly encourage everybody, at this time of crisis, to please give as much as they possibly can because the value will be doubled."
