Tarek Riman is seen at Cruz de Ferro, Santa Colomba de Somoza, Province of Leon, Spain on April 5, 2016. The stop was part of his bicycle pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago documented in his new book “The Camino Within.”
Working with a digital marketing agency, Tarek Riman was on track with his professional life—yet everything else seemed off-course.
“I didn’t feel my life was fully aligned on where I wanted to go. I decided to sell everything that I have, get rid of everything… and just leave.”
With bicycle in tow, he headed to France to embark on an epic pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, a historic long-distance trail extending across the Spanish countryside. He completed the trek in 2016 and 2017, spanning 1,600 kilometres in total. Riman documented his journey in his new book The Camino Within.
Riman described his experience as both “liberating” and “transformational.” He recalled the warmth and generosity demonstrated to him, such as those who offered him food and water along the way.
“What makes us human is helping each other and that’s pretty much what inspired me to help as much as I can,” said Riman, founder of Cap.TaiM, a full-service digital marketing agency, and
MontrealTips.com, a blog supporting ideas, entrepreneurs, startups, businesses, causes and local talent.
Proceeds from the first 200 copies sold of The Camino Within will go to UNHCR. The Lebanese-born Riman said he feels a deep connection to the plight of refugees, relating personally to the struggle for survival and safety.
“I realized that I had a choice to leave. I had a choice to leave everything behind,” Riman said of his pilgrimage. “But a lot of refugees, they don’t have a choice to leave their homes. They don’t have the choice not to travel thousands of kilometres and suffer.”
Riman said he was motivated to donate to UNHCR because of what he regards as the “high transparency” of the organization.
“I know the high level of authenticity UNHCR has: that’s what puts me at comfort,” he said. “That’s what opens the door at the end of the day—that trust.
The one thing I think refugees have when they leave where they are is their faith. Their faith in a better life, their faith in creating a new life and a safer life for their kids, and their faith is in us, their fellow humans and their goodwill to help them.” R
Follow the path paved by Tarek and so many of our other incredible supporters. Visit
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