Sandy from the HopeFirst Foundation has just sent us this news:

“The stars really aligned on the delivery and the volunteers on this trip.  The 225 Kona Africabikes got in exactly on time, the 4th, our contact was able to expedite the port process, and we got the bikes out on the 6th.  We left for the countryside that day, with out last volunteer for that segment of the trip, Johannes Wolf, arriving that morning from Germany.  I spent the day in the port, 7 hours, before riding up in the truck, 8 hours,with the largest load of bikes.   Got into Median Wallum at 1am, with the second truck arriving at 5am, due to a poor head lamp on a poor road.  Another truck went to the north bank to drop off the last 50bikes for out visit the next week.

The 5 bikes left were given to CEDAG, a Gambian NGO, for the use of their rural community development workers.  The director of CEDAG, Morris Anyim, was instrumental in obtaining the duty waiver and documents to get the bikes out of the port.

Our volunteer that signed on quite late, Johannes, was amazing.  He is a bike mechanic near Berlin and was an amazing teacher for the local folks.  Along with Tim, our engineer that introduced the pedal powered grain mill, and Alpha Jallow, our driver/land rover mechanic, made quick work out of the first 170 bikes.  They took lots of time to teach the girls and boys, as well as the local bike mechanics. They were very patient and willing to share their knowledge.

Barbara, Lori, Julie and Alison were amazing role models for the girls.  Most of us had not assembled bikes before, so we were learning right along side the others.  And getting pretty good at it, I must say.  We all worked together to get the job done.  The Boeing Company donated 250, 767 lanyards for the keys.  A big hit with the students.

Our last volunteer, Matt, is a Delta Airline employee.  He signed on very last minute, flew into Dakar, and made his way to Gambia with a friend of mine from Dakar.  Matt helped us on the last week, as well as Johannes,  both had a blast teaching the girls to ride and those two twenty somethings got along great so traveled together in Senegal after we completed the bikes.

What a great trip.  Went off without a hitch.  With perfect timing, great volunteers, and willing communities, we accomplished the mission that Kona Basic Needs and HopeFirst Foundation had set as a goal.

Still in jet lag, just got home monday, so up in the middle of the night.

More soon.  Sandy”

Every BikeTown Africa event provides the opportunity for up to 15 participants to attend the build and handover of the bicycles. This affords people the chance to get a first-hand look and feel for the impact a BikeTown Africa Project can have both on a community and on an individual.

As a participant, you build the bicycles, train mechanics and really “get dirty” for two days as you help the BikeTown team and the organization hand over the bicycles. This is a vacation, but one that gives something back and really makes a difference.

Read more HERE

HopeFirst Foundation and Kona Basic Needs are looking for volunteers to join us in “The Gambia” in September to assemble and handover 225 Kona Africa Bikes to help the children of rural Gambia get to school.

Most villages have a primary school, but secondary schools are spaced farther apart. There is no public transportation, and rarely a motorised vehicle. Middle and high school children walk the round trip to and from school each day, many as far as 7 miles each way. A bike can reduce that 2 hour walk to a 30 minute ride.

Girls may especially benefit from the AfricaBikes, as they are frequently kept home from school to do chores (sweep, gather wood, carry water, pound rice). If they spend less time getting to and from school resulting in enough time to complete their chores, parents may agree to let them be educated. Half of the bikes will go to girls, so perhaps they will not have to choose between their family obligations and getting an education.

Villages in The Gambia may lack access to water, food, healthcare, education, and enterprise. Removing the barriers to education may be the piece of the puzzle that can connect the dots and help alleviate these problems. Transportation to school for children that live too far to walk will ensure that every child gets the chance to learn.

Can you spare a week and want to visit an amazing country, The Gambia, and help build and donate these bikes?

Don’t worry about not being a bike mechanic, the Kona Africa Bike is very simple to put together and full training will be given on site.

You will have to cover your flights and daily expenses, typically around $60 USD per day (this includes local transport, accommodation and food in the villages). HopeFirst Foundation volunteers will help you coordinate your flights and arrange everything for you on the ground in The Gambia.

Travel Dates: Come for one week or two. Arrive on a Sunday and depart one or two weeks later on a Sunday. September 12 – 26 will be spent between two areas of The Gambia, assembling bikes, as well as introducing other HopeFirst Foundation Projects.

So what are you waiting for? Have a trip of a lifetime and feel good helping a great
cause!

Contact Sandy Murray, sandym@hopefirst.org for more information.