We've completed our 6th shipment totaling over 2000
bikes to Ghana, Africa and the Village Bicycle Project (VBP). Thanks
to the bountiful supply of bikes in the Northwest, we now have collections
twice a year: February and October. Thousands of bicycles have
gone to Ghana from Bike Works so far!
Once in Ghana, many of our bikes are sold at market, and proceeds
cover the costs of shipping. The rest are taken to villages, where
the Village Bicycle Project offers repair workshops, then sells
bikes to participants for half the normal price. This way, the new
owners are invested in cycling and empowered to take care of their
ride. VBP prioritizes working with farmers, teachers, aid workers,
and micro-business people.
Alex Arthur and Sara Aidor took part in a VBP workshop in July,
2002 at Abura. Mr. Arthur teaches workers' children at a large rubber
tree farm. He says,
"My mountain bike is wonderful. I use it to ride to school at the Ghana Rubber Estates every school day (10 km). It saves me a lot of time in travel which I can use to prepare my children's lessons. I have ridden to Axim beach and back, 50 km. It's great!!"
Sara Aidor is a high school student and a member of the Abura Keep Fit Club, a health education and HIV/AIDS awareness group.
"I love my new bike," says Sara. "It's blue which is my favorite colour. We have ridden our bikes to lots of local villages to do plays about hygiene/sanitation and health education. The people need to learn more about these things so they do not get sick. You do good work. Can we have more bikes soon?"
