"Amazing Grace"

Goree Challenge I - A Voyage of Hope

Map of Rowing Route & Supplies on Rowboat - (click here)

Victor picks-up boat kit in Indiana.	Victor & his son , JJ start building the boat.
Victor goes full-time in building the boat.	Electrics & Phone Systems tested.
Boat is ready to go.	Final day in boat house.
UPS sends container to Brooklyn.	Brooklyn Borough President says "Good-luck".
St. Paul's Church prays for Victor.	Boat clears customs in Dakar.
Victor thanks OTAL for shipping & formalities.	Boat is put on wooden logs.
Boat is rolled on wooden logs.	Boat enters the ocean.
Victor crawls in Slave House on Goree Island.	Victor kisses the ground of his ancestors.
Victor prays before departure.	Time to go.
On May 7, 2006, Victor begins rowing off the coast of Goree Island, Senegal. After three years of preparation for his voyage of hope, it ended in three hours after the boat begin to leak. Eventually, the boat sank into the Atlantic Ocean. He was rescued by the Senegalese Navy. His goal was to memorialized the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Secondly he wanted to encourage abstinence, increase the awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Victor hoped to raised money for AIDS medicine and charities worldwide.	Days after Victor's attempt to row from Senegal to The Brooklyn Bridge, President Wade of Senegal welcomes him back home to Goree Island. Victor presented the President with his rowing uniform. Afterwards, President Wade thanked him for his bravery and solidarity. The Republic of Senegal and People of Goree Island embraced Victor challeng, subsequently he became a resident.

Goree Island, Senegal (West Africa)

Goree Challenge I	Goree Challenge I Supporters	Goree Challenge I Sponsors
Vatican Pilgrimage	Goree Island Pilgrimage	Holyland Pilgrimage
Solidarity Visit to Touba	Goree Faith Tour	Equipment on Board/ Food
Nautical History	Educational Activities	Boatbuilding
Foundation of Training	transAtlantic Project	Live from the Atlantic Ocean