World Bicycle Relief is an incredible charity dedicated to providing access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles across the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. Compared to walking, bicycles represent an enormous leap in productivity and access to healthcare, education and economic development opportunities. The simple, sustainable nature of bicycles empowers individuals, their families and their communities.
World Bicycle Relief has now put over 116,000 specially made bikes in the field and each one is helping to enrich the lives of men, women and children in the region. We here at Proviz wish to help the cause through our Proviz Purpose Project and so are willing to donate with every sale purchased through our website.
1 BIKE ON AVERAGE CHANGES THE LIVES OF 5 PEOPLE
On checkout customers have the option to donate to World Bicycle Relief with their order. Proviz will match every donation and together with our wonderful customers we have donated many bikes already to this very worthwhile charity and it is wonderful to see the effect these bikes have.
Please see here for more details on the charity and please see our fundraising page
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief was founded by SRAM Corporation in 2005 in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami. World Bicycle Relief partnered with aid organisations on the ground in Sri Lanka to distribute over 24,000 bicycles to aid the rebuilding of lives by providing access to education and healthcare and reconnecting workers to their livelihood.
After the success of this disaster relief program in Sri Lanka, World Bicycle Relief was approached by aid organisations working in Sub-Saharan Africa to assist with volunteer healthcare programs in Zambia where 40% of the population was suffering the effects of HIV/AIDS. In partnership with local aid organisations, World Bicycle Relief worked to provide 23,000 specially designed, locally assembled, rugged bicycles to healthcare workers treating HIV/AIDS patients. They also trained local field mechanics to build, maintain and repair bicycles. This program in Zambia led to their work in microfinance, education, social enterprise and field mechanics training programs across Africa.
Compared to walking, bicycles represent an enormous leap in productivity and access to healthcare, education and economic development opportunities. The simple, sustainable nature of bicycles empowers individuals, their families and their communities.
WBR accomplish their mission by:
- Working with suppliers to improve bicycle design while ensuring all changes are culturally appropriate
- Enhancing distribution with local sourcing, manufacturing or assembly whenever possible
- Partnering with existing non-governmental organisations and government and community based organisations
- Training mechanics in maintenance and repair while strengthening the existing supply of spare parts
- Measuring and evaluating the impact of bicycles and communicating the results to improve programs and increase awareness
We are sure you agree with us that World Bicycle Relief is an amazing and unique charity and we would like to thank for all your support for PROVIZ and World Bicycle Relief. We will keep you updated through our newsletter and blog of our progress and post some pictures of the bikes we purchase as a result of our donations but here are a few we were sent to us from the organisation after receiving the donations.
From Allison Duffosee (Chief Executive WBR) 'I am writing to thank you all for this wonderful donation - your contributions seem to increase year on year and we very much value our partnership with you.'
