Through the tireless volunteer efforts of Bicycles for Humanity (Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria), several ocean containers - close to 2,000 bikes - are now ready to ship to East Africa and positively impact the lives of hundreds of women, orphans and youth. Three registered charities/NGOs (founded/supported by Canadian women) are anxiously waiting to receive the shipments to further support the work they do in various remote areas of Tanzania. The bicycles provide transportation (often just to access basic needs); training, employment, and allow village business owners (primarily women) to improve their business. (See more info below about each NGO).
While the bikes and repairs are donated by Bicycles for Humanity, we now need to raise funds to support the exporting/importing process (shipping, duty, import taxes, inspection fees and transportation into various regions of Tanzania). Due to the pandemic, economic downturn and other challenges, costs have almost doubled in the past two years.
WE'RE ALMOST THERE BUT
WE NEED YOUR HELP IN RAISING
$10,000 +
Any donation - no matter the size - will help support women, orphans and youth who so badly need our help.
We ask that you find it in your heart to
make a donation and join us in bringing hope and empowerment to
others.
With 100% of funds raised going directly to the bicycle
project,
you know your contribution is making a
difference. Thank you in advance for your generosity. (Note:
Tax receipts provided.)
ABOUT THE NGO'S
OneLove Africa Foundation brings hope and support to remote village women through entrepreneurial training, ongoing mentoring and facilitating peer lending and microfinance. They also build the capacity of village leaders, NGOs and communities through their train-the-trainer program. To date, OneLove has been responsible for the start-up of close to 3,000 village ventures and empowered 150 trainers. A portion of bicycles will be given to graduating mamas on an interest free loan basis, some donated to local schools and orphanages and some might be sold to provide funding for new programs or bike shipments. They will also be establishing a Bicycle Empowerment Centre to teach bicycle repair skills, welding, life skills and entrepreneurial training to street youth.
Daraja Foundation
operates health and education programs in Zanzibar and
works closely with youth from Mazizini Children’s House, a local
orphanage. They also manage a transition house, where young adults
stay for a period of time until they are ready to live independently
with skills not often provided during their youth. Employment is a key
focus and Daraja has partnered with Kawa Training Centre to create a
social enterprise which provides sustainable jobs for the youth they
work with. This venture – Blue Bikes - offers training in bike
mechanics, rentals and tours. A portion of the container bikes will be
used to further support Blue Bikes while others will be allocated to a
local school. These bikes will be given to students who have applied
for a loan bicycle to travel to school and back.
Red House School operates pre-school programs and offers a variety of community support services (farming, sewing, micro-lending, language classes, bicycle safety, etc.) to the surrounding communities in two very poor areas in and around Dar es Salaam. Bicycles are provided to community members selected to participate in the rent-to-own program that was developed through community consultation. Bicycles will also be available for rent to community members with priority given to those who need the bicycles for education, employment or business. Red House is in the process of developing a Bicycle Empowerment center to provide employment, training and skill development as well as programs in bicycle riding and safety and basic bicycle maintenance.
