My name is Alain Wong, and this year I've decided to fight poverty through micro-credit -- extending small loans to the world's poor so they can get into business and out of poverty.

I'm joining 24 riders biking from Vancouver to Mexico promoting micro-credit as a tool to fight poverty and empower women. And I need your help.

Please support this cause by donating to my trip. My goal is to raise $3000 that will go directly to the Agents of Change microcredit fund. I’m personally committing to the full amount. So if I don't reach my fundraising goal, I will front the difference out of my pockets.

You can click the “Donate Now” button at the top left of this page to make a donation now. If you’re a Canadian citizen, you’re even eligible for a tax receipt.

I’m also raising money to cover my expenses (bike equipment, plane ticket) for the trip. As I will fly from Montreal to Vancouver to start the trip, your donation of AirMiles or other travel points is welcome. Please contact me at alainkinwong@gmail.com to sponsor me for either plane or bike expenses.

There are three objectives to my bike ride:

About the project, go to Riding to Break the Cycle 2008

I met Emma Banks at a swing dance in Montreal in December. Originally from Vancouver, she was in town visiting a friend. We chatted that night, and I mentioned to her that I had given my girlfriend a Kiva gift certificate for her birthday - which I thought was a great way to encourage social action. She replied by sharing her involvement in Riding to Break the Cycle and Agents of Change.

One thing led to another and here I am a few months later, actively training and planning for my trip. I am lucky to have the support of friends, family and colleagues.

I'm a local leader  and teacher in the Montreal swing dance community and have participated in national level competitions in both Canada and the US. I'm probably best known for being on the Youtube video Gmail: Behind the Scenes (Final Cut).

I love my day job as Biz Dev Guru at StandoutJobs. They fully support my project, allowing me to take 7 weeks off for the ride. They will also match donations up to a thousand dollars, so if you donate $100, it means I will get $200 to fight global poverty.

You can donate online or we can arrange something offline as well. Contact me at alainkinwong@gmail.com. Thank you.