Empowering Women through Bikes in Sierra Leone
Tax deductible
We know that getting women on bikes might seem small, but we also know that in rural communities a bike is the key to unlock countless opportunities for education, health and wellbeing. That’s why we have a holistic approach to women’s bicycle empowerment based on knowledge, transportation, economic opportunity, and fun.
Who we are: For the last 20 years, Village Bicycle Project (VBP) has been providing bicycles, tools and training to communities in West Africa. We have distributed over 126,000 bicycles, trained over 21,000 people in basic bicycle repair, and taught more than 4,000 women and girls how to ride a bike.
Our approach: We have been developing our 4-prong approach to getting more women on bikes for the past few years, and in 2020 we are excited to expand our programming in Sierra Leone. Help us reach more women than ever before!
1. Learn to Ride Programs for school age girls:
There are a number of cultural stigma that hinder women from learning how to ride a bicycle. Our Learn to Ride (L2R) Programs give them that opportunity in a supportive women’s only class.
2. Bicycle Distribution Workshops for women of all ages:
Our standard One Day Workshop (ODW) provides participants with a bicycle and a half day’s maintenance training so they can keep their bike in good working order. A major focus of our ODWs has been school-age students with a particular emphasis on young women.
3. Advanced Mechanical Repair classes for women bike entrepreneurs:
For those women that have shown an interest and aptitude in bicycle repair, we offer a full day Advanced Mechanical Training and support in opening their own shops. We are proud to have launched the first women owned bike businesses in Sierra Leone!
4. Development of women's bike racing through the Lunsar Cycling Team:
The Lunsar Cycling Team is a local team in central Sierra Leone that has become one of the premier cycling organizations in the country. Women make up about 25% of the team and have consistently won the national cycling championship raising the profile of women's' cycling and breaking down stereotypes that keep women from riding.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 which covers the cost of shipping a container of 500 bikes and gear to Sierra Leone. That container and the associated revenue will supply bicycles and funds for one year of women’s bike programming. With a container dedicated to funding women’s bicycle programming, it will enable VBP to plan for program expansion for the entire year.
Want to read more? Check out these articles about Karim Kamara, our Sierra Leone Country Manager, as reported by Vice and Cycling Tips .
Your support is vital to helping us reach more women in Sierra Leone than ever before, please donate today.
Who we are: For the last 20 years, Village Bicycle Project (VBP) has been providing bicycles, tools and training to communities in West Africa. We have distributed over 126,000 bicycles, trained over 21,000 people in basic bicycle repair, and taught more than 4,000 women and girls how to ride a bike.
Our approach: We have been developing our 4-prong approach to getting more women on bikes for the past few years, and in 2020 we are excited to expand our programming in Sierra Leone. Help us reach more women than ever before!
1. Learn to Ride Programs for school age girls:
There are a number of cultural stigma that hinder women from learning how to ride a bicycle. Our Learn to Ride (L2R) Programs give them that opportunity in a supportive women’s only class.
2. Bicycle Distribution Workshops for women of all ages:
Our standard One Day Workshop (ODW) provides participants with a bicycle and a half day’s maintenance training so they can keep their bike in good working order. A major focus of our ODWs has been school-age students with a particular emphasis on young women.
3. Advanced Mechanical Repair classes for women bike entrepreneurs:
For those women that have shown an interest and aptitude in bicycle repair, we offer a full day Advanced Mechanical Training and support in opening their own shops. We are proud to have launched the first women owned bike businesses in Sierra Leone!
4. Development of women's bike racing through the Lunsar Cycling Team:
The Lunsar Cycling Team is a local team in central Sierra Leone that has become one of the premier cycling organizations in the country. Women make up about 25% of the team and have consistently won the national cycling championship raising the profile of women's' cycling and breaking down stereotypes that keep women from riding.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 which covers the cost of shipping a container of 500 bikes and gear to Sierra Leone. That container and the associated revenue will supply bicycles and funds for one year of women’s bike programming. With a container dedicated to funding women’s bicycle programming, it will enable VBP to plan for program expansion for the entire year.
Want to read more? Check out these articles about Karim Kamara, our Sierra Leone Country Manager, as reported by Vice and Cycling Tips .
Your support is vital to helping us reach more women in Sierra Leone than ever before, please donate today.
Organizer
Joshua Poppel
Organizer
Seattle, WA
Village Bicycle Project, Inc.
Beneficiary