Cycling is a popular hobby and sport the world over; it’s a skill they say you never forget. In The Gambia, however, bicycles are a major mode of transportation for many people.
The Gambia is not only the smallest country on the African continent, but also the poorest. Having recently reemerged as a democracy after decades of dictatorship, this tiny West-African country along the Gambia River is making strides to modernize and look toward a better, more sustainable future. Part of these endeavors is supporting programs for women, children, and education.
The Need for Bicycles
There are many barriers to education in underdeveloped countries, including gender, time, and availability of schools. And let us not forget transportation. In The Gambia, there are no school busses. You won’t find cars lined up for blocks to drop off or pick up children from school in The Gambia, either, because many families do not own a car. Gambian children typically walk to school, which can be 10 km (more than 6 miles!) away. A bicycle would make this a far less strenuous journey.
There are many benefits to having a bicycle in The Gambia. Besides extending the area you can easily traverse, a bicycle requires neither food nor fuel. They are smaller than a car and easy to store. Maintenance is a skill that can be learned and much of it performed yourself. If school children in The Gambia all had bicycles, they would be better able to attend school and acquire the education and skills necessary to thrive in the brighter future Gambians are building.
Bicycles for The Gambia
Blackbird Global Foundation is seeking donations right now to help provide Gambian children with the bicycles they need to get to school. We’re not just sending bicycles, either, but also helmets and bike lights to ensure the children travel safely to and from school. We are also including tool and patch kits so that when a bicycle requires basic maintenance, from airing up or changing a tire to tightening bolts to cleaning the chain, the student can perform it themselves. This way, the bicycles will provide children transportation for many years.
Once the bicycles, helmets, and kits are gathered, Blackbird Global Foundation will transport them to The Gambia and provide them to schools, who will distribute to those students in need of a bicycle. The children will then learn how to care for their bicycle as well as how to use their toolkits to perform bicycle maintenance themselves rather than needing to pay for basic repairs. These bicycles will therefore provide children with transport to and from school for many years.
You Can Help!
Help us empower eager young students of The Gambia! Just $325 can provide a child with the means to reach school and build a brighter future. We want to send 500 bicycle sets to The Gambia – $5 or $500, every donation helps!