MADRE, an international aid organization that works with women around the world to create long term solutions to local problems, has begun a program with Worldbike to provide bikes to women in eight communities around Nairobi, Kenya. Worldbike’s specially designed motor assist bikes allow women to carry drinking water and people much further than on foot.
With durable, motor-assisted bicycles, the women can:
* bring drinking water to their families without sustaining the spinal injuries that plague them now;
* drive sick and elderly people to the health clinic, and;
* earn income by providing taxi services to tourists at the nearby wildlife reserve.The Results:
* Women avoid injuries sustained from hauling large jugs of water for long distances.
* Those in need of healthcare are able to reach the health clinic.
* The women are able to support themselves and their families with income generated through a taxi-service for tourists.
* The vehicles build ties between the eight communities participating in the project.
The non-factory built vehicles cost $1200 each to produce and are put together by a local bike shop in Kenya. You can donate $25 or more to this program online or make smaller donations or send checks to:
MADRE
121 West 27th Street, Room 301
New York, NY 10001
Here is a short video on previous work that Worldbike has done in Kenya:
Worldbike Slideshow: Bicycles as a tool for Development from Ross Evans on Vimeo.
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