Earlier this year, best mates Leo Norman, 18, and Cezary Carmichael, 19, set out on an ambitious journey: to cycle around Australia to break a birdwatching record and raise funds for a vital cause along the way.

“For years we talked about taking a year off after school to set out on an adventure,” says Leo. “While we dreamed of a gap year from our education, we were aware that access to education remains an issue for so many around the world.”

The duo decided to focus their fundraising efforts on education, specifically in Timor-Leste, partnering with ACF Fund Spend It Well – a small charity building schools in Timor-Leste.

“Timor-Leste is a country so close to ours, but it suffers extreme economic hardship, and its kids don’t have the kind of options we do,” says Cezary.

Leo and Cezary left Melbourne on January 1, 2024, under the banner ‘Two Birders, Two Bikes, One School.’ The duo has been documenting their birdwatching journey and raising awareness about the challenges faced by children in Timor-Leste.

Nearly ten months later, after a trip to Timor-Leste to see the school where their money will build new facilities, Leo and Cezary are nearing the end of their expedition, having surpassed their original fundraising target of $100,000 to collect over $116,000 to date.

Kris Webb, one of the founders of Spend It Well, says $100,000 will go directly towards building new classrooms, with additional support earmarked for facilities such as a school kitchen, garden and educational supplies. Leo and Cezary are continuing to fundraise with the goal to fund all or part of a second school. They like the sound of ‘Two Birders, Two Bikes, Two Schools.’

“Spend It Well works in partnership with the Ministry of Education in Timor-Leste,” explains Kris. “We focus on schools that are in critical condition and lack basic facilities like safe and weatherproof school buildings, toilets and handwashing stations. Our Timorese project manager visits the schools to consult with local communities, ensuring the projects are driven by their needs. Once the project starts, he monitors the work to ensure the projects are delivered on time and on budget.”

Since 2009, Spend It Well has completed 22 school projects across Timor-Leste, building 79 classrooms and 76 toilets which benefit 4,250 children a year.  The group also provides school furniture and runs six school gardens which help address child malnutrition in Timor-Leste. 

“We are currently building about three schools a year,” says Kris, “and we rely entirely on donations from Australian individuals, families, and small groups. One hundred per cent of our donations are spent on our projects. We also keep our donors up to date with the projects, so they see exactly what their money is spent on and the impact it has.

“Having a Named Fund with Australian Communities Foundation means our donors can make secure, tax-deductible donations.”

For Kris and the Spend It Well team, ACF provides a platform for initiatives like Leo and Cezary’s fundraising efforts to thrive.

“At every turn or challenge over the last 15 years, ACF’s response has always been to find a way to help us achieve our goals. They’ve never put obstacles in our path. We couldn’t do what we do without them”

As Leo and Cezary’s journey comes to an end, Kris says the duo’s fundraising efforts will make a significant impact on Spend It Well’s work in Timor-Leste.

“There are 130 children at Builecon School in Timor-Leste who will have a new school by April next year because of Leo and Cezary. They’ve inspired so many people and provided a blueprint for how passion, purpose, and perseverance can change lives.”

Learn more and contribute

To learn more about Leo and Cezary’s journey and contribute, visit the website: Two Birders, Two Bikes. The duo will complete their journey when they ride into Fitzroy, Melbourne on 1 November. Follow their journey on Instagram: @twobirderstwobikes

To learn more about Spend It Well and its work in Timor-Leste, visit the website.