The United Church here has set the wheels in motion to change lives in Africa through something as simple as a bicycle, by asking people to “send your old bike on a new journey.”
Organizer Bonnie Norris said, “I am so excited about this project. Her role is outreach coordinator for the church. “It’s all about a need for mobility for the people of Namibia.”
Norris helped steer her church and neighbouring community to begin Wheels of Hope as she came to understand the need for mobility in remote African villages and the importance something as simple as bicycle has in so many uses for the people there.
Working in conjunction with Bicycles for Humanity, a grassroots organization, Wheels of Hope will be collecting used mountain bikes in Centre Wellington that will then be shipped in a container bound for Namibia.
From there the containers are sent to the internationally recognized Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN), which offers community based centres in remote regions, where people use the bikes for sustainability, allowing them become vehicles not only for mobility, but for community improvement.
Norris said that once the container arrives in Africa, it becomes a make-shift bike shop, where they are refurbished and distributed.
Local people are trained to become bike mechanics, allowing business opportunities and community resources to grow.
“The bikes empower many things. It provides employment to local people and transportation that is not available by any other means,” Norris said. “They help children get to school. Many of our bikes go to orphanages.”
Norris cited other uses, too, including helping people get to work or to markets.
“It enables women, especially,” she said.
By modifying parts, the bikes become major transportation vehicles in the important work of health care, in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“They are used as ambulances or to bring medical care to remote areas,” she said. “They fashion these carts and they can get supplies to areas where they couldn’t get to remote areas.”
Given the dry, rough terrain and lack of paved roads, Norris said the demand is for mountain bikes or fat tire bikes. Adult bikes are preferred.
“We also collect spare parts such as wheels, rims, tires and tubes, chains, gear sets tools and patch kits,” Norris said. “Accessories such as bells, locks, reflectors and pumps will be put to good use.”
Wheels of Hope is coordinating its efforts with a BEN chapter group, St. Bartholomew’s United Church, in Brampton.
“They had the experience for us to learn from, as this is our first sea container,” Norris explained. “It will hold 350 to 400 bikes. It’s nice to partner with someone and we’re all working for the same great cause.”
Norris hopes other churches, service or community groups will join the effort.
Locally, Gary Cooper Chev Olds has offered storage for the bike collection.
Elora United Church volunteer James Kidston is doing small repairs to the collected bikes to prepare them for shipment.
Wheels of Hope will host its first major bike collection on April 28, in conjunction with the Wellington County rain barrel and composter sale at the Grand River Raceway in Elora.
A second collection will take place at the Elora United Church on July 7.
Wheels of Hope will continue to collect bikes throughout the year. A free bike pick-up is also available for those who wish to make a donation.
To learn more about BEN in Namibia, visit benbikes.org.za. For more information or to arrange a bike pick-up contact Wheels of Hope at 519-843-6144 or by email at wheelsofhope.b4h@gmail.com.
