Cycling for the cause of orphans: 9,000 km from Brussels to Togo, Victoire's adventure
Alone on the roads of Africa, Victoire, 25, sets off from Brussels by bike to reach Togo. Her driving force: solidarity. Her dream: to help rebuild an orphanage in Lomé and to share, through her lens and her pen, stories of humanity and hope. An extraordinary adventure.
“I'm going on the biggest adventure of my life. It's both exciting and terrifying,” she says.
Victoire has been carrying this dream for two years. Two years spent imagining the landscapes she's crossed, the awakenings in tents, the unexpected encounters, and the dusty roads. But beyond the challenge, it's a journey full of meaning.
Who is Victoire?
A young Belgian journalist, Victoire Becquart embodies a generation in search of meaning and humanity. The daughter of Cyril and Anne-Françoise Becquart, who have been involved with Fondacio for many years, she grew up in a simple, joyful and inspiring family, nourished by the values of faith, service and solidarity.
Anne-Françoise, head of Fondacio in Belgium, has notably initiated youth camps to help them find meaning in their lives, become agents of change, and positively impact their environment. It seems these experiences have borne fruit: Victoire, in turn, is taking off for solidarity, driven by the desire to understand and connect.
Since childhood, she has observed, narrated, and created. At 18, a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia had a profound impact on her: she discovered the power of human connection and the clash of cultural differences. Since then, the desire to explore and bear witness has never left her.
His studies in journalism and his practice of photography and video fuel a conviction: "I deeply believe in a journalism that conveys hope and humanity."
Cycling, for its part, came naturally. A member of an amateur women's team for two years, she enjoys the effort as much as the camaraderie of the peloton.
Why Togo? A story of encounter and loyalty
The choice of Togo is no accident. It all began with Ria, a Belgian member of Fondacio , who left 26 years ago to set up a clinic in Lomé. There, she met Sister Victoire, a Togolese nun who takes in orphans on the streets.
Together, they founded Maison Béthanie , an orphanage that became a refuge for dozens of children.
But today, the facility no longer meets UNICEF standards and must be expanded to continue its mission.
This is the situation that Victoire discovers through her mother, Ria's friend.
“I thought, ‘This is where I want to go. What if I could turn my crazy challenge into something concrete for them?’”
An online fundraiser will therefore be opened on the day of his departure, October 26, 2025, to support the construction of new dormitories.
A millimeter-precise preparation
Such a journey cannot be improvised. Victoire has carefully prepared each step:
- Choice of bike: robust, light, easy to repair.
- Mechanical training: “If my tire gets a flat in the middle of nowhere, I have to know how to manage!”
- Vaccines and equipment: everything you need to face the heat, the rain and the unexpected.
- Reporting equipment: lightweight but powerful, to visually capture the adventure.
- Reading and research: history, customs, geopolitical context of each country crossed.
She has just completed the amateur Tour de Normandie, five intense days with her team, to perfect her endurance.
And to reassure her parents, she will wear a satellite beacon allowing her journey to be followed live.
Beyond the challenge, a mission of hope
Through this journey, Victoire wishes above all to free speech and create connections, by showing the beauty of human encounters, solidarity and the courage of everyday life.
His dream: to make a documentary and a series of photo reports throughout his journey.
“In the impossible, there is the possible. And that is what we must bring back.”
A call for solidarity
Victoire's adventure is not just a performance: it is a message of hope for children without a voice and for all those who believe that commitment can change the world.
The link to the prize pool will be posted online on the day of its departure.
Everyone can, in their own way, symbolically cycle alongside her by supporting Maison Béthanie. You can also support her with your words on her Instagram account
From Brussels to Lomé, Victoire rides for much more than an exploit: she pedals for the future of Togolese children, for human dignity and for journalism from the heart.
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