St. Kitts "Takes a Seat" on the Goree Challenge

Victor Mooney, 39, will retrace the route of Slave Ships from Goree Island, Senegal to New York City on a 24' rowboat. During his crossing of the Caribbean, St. Kitts will give him an official welcome on arrival.

(PRWEB) January 10, 2004 --
What:
This weekend, at the Adventure in Travel Expo - New York City, you can see Victor Mooney's preparation for the Goree Challenge and talk with representatives from the St. Kitts Tourism Board.

Like no other island in the Caribbean, St. Kitts seems to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific. The atmosphere here is palpably luxuriant. It is an intoxicating blend of sunlight, sea, air and fantastically abundant vegetation.

Why:    
In February 2005, Mooney will launch an 8,000 mile Solo Trans Atlantic Rowing Expedition from Goree Island, Senegal (West Africa) to New York
City. Mooney looks to encourage abstinence, HIV/Aids prevention and awareness in the community, workplace and uniformed services.

Mooneys departure point is the Door of No Return", the place on African soil where able-bodied Africans, chained at the neck, last viewed their homeland before being transported to the New World as slaves. An estimated 20 million Africans passed through the Port of Goree Island until the mid-1800s. During the African Slave trade, Goree Island was a slaveholding warehouse, the center for the trade in African men, women and children.

Who:
In four consecutive years, Mooney has battled the seas around Long Island and Manhattan with his 17 canoe. His cause an uncommon vehicle comes from a life-long love of canoeing and a desire to continue the work of the late New York City Cardinal John OConnor, who cared for those suffering from HIV/Aids.

Mooney is the spokesperson for ASA -- The College of Advanced Technology, located in Brooklyn, New York. Mooney also serves as the founder and executive director of South African Arts International, an art and artist exchange group. Mooney is a married father of four.

For more on Mooneys expedition, visit: www.goreechallenge.com

Where:
Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre, New York City
South African Arts International (SAAI),
Booth # 563

When:
January 9-11, 2004

Adventure in Travel Expo
Inez Freund, Public Relations
Tel. 973-627-8180
Fax 973-627-8410
www.adventureexpo.com

St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Robert Kelly
Tel. 212-535-1234
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