The project in Ghana compromises three projects. Supported by the Hivos campaign "We Share" it is our intention to create a north-south relation between people with roots in Ghana, but living outside and people in their homeland. This project of Cycling out of poverty is, like all projects of Cycling out of poverty, run by locals and one the aims of Cycling out of poverty is to have this project selfsustainable within 3 years.
This project focuses primaraly on Millennium Development Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education. By providing tricycles, it is aimed at increasing the number of children going to primary school. But this tricycle has a dual purpose. Besides being a mode of transport for children to go to school, during school time it will be used as an income generating tool. By using the great oppurtunity to advertise on the tricycle we foresee a unique concept where local Ghanese companies can advertise, small entrepreneurs can generate income and children can go to school.
Not only primary school students have difficulties in accessing educational facilities. Secondary school students, particularly girls, are facing mobility constraints in accessing educational facilities as well. And it is well known that students drop-out of school because of the long time spend commuting to school. There time is also needed in household tasks and income generation so it is a matter of priority. And unfortunally the situation often gives no other chance than dropping out of school. The bicycle plays a very critical role in terms of access to socio-economic services. To education services, the bicycle bridges the distance gap for students and reduces time spent on the road. It also ensures that the students save more time to assist their parents or guardians with household chores, which is a social responsibility of children; especially the girls. By providing bicycles (which they pay of in installments) to them, it is aimed at decreasing the dropout rate of secondary school students so as to provide a better starting position for better livelihood after finishing school.
In an earlier project Mss. Patience (24) received a bicycle. She says: “I go to Konongo High School, 6 miles from here. When I go to school I first have to walk 1 to 2 miles and then take a minibus. My mother is very sick and can’t take care of herself. My father works in Accra to earn money which he sends home to support my mother and me in my education. With this bicycle I am home early and can help my mother doing the household and do my homework properly so I can finish school. Besides, the bicycle will save me 4000 cedi’s on transport costs per day.”
* 4000 cedi per day equals 0,33 euro. In a month this will save her 10 euro. The bicycle from Cycling out of poverty cost her 24 euro. So already in 3 months she can pay off her bicycle just by saving her daily transport costs.
To generate income to cover to overhead costs of these projects and to educate young men Cycling out of poverty is setting up a workshop. By providing courses, micro credit for (modified) bicycles and creating of employment, it is aimed to reduce poverty.
In the first phase of the projects, partnerships will be explored and established for setting up and running the workshop. After that the workshop will be created. In the workshop bicycles will be repaired and sold. Also, modified bicycles (such as the tricycle) and bicycle carts (for instance bicycle ambulances) will be developed and produced. These modified bicycles are made for sale (garbage collectors for urban environments) but can also be developed for local entrepreneurs who want a (modified) bicycle to generate income (for instance the tricycle. These local entrepreneurs can buy these modified bicycles on micro credit provided by the centre.
Buy your advertisement space on one of the tricycle and support this project. The advertisement on one tricycle will costs € 2,000 for one year. Advertising and pro-active promoting and/or selling is always negotiable. All the income generated for the advertisements will be allocated for this project.
Do you have a warm heart for Ghana? Do you have roots in Ghana? Do you want to help? Support this project by voluntering. What can you do?
Your donations, big and small, are highly appreciated. Please mention "Cycle-to-school Ghana" on your transaction, and use the following bank details:
You can also use this online donation system. You can quickly, easily and safely transfer your donation to Cycling out of poverty. This transfer facility is hosted by "Geef Gratis". This organisation does charge an allowance of 10% for hosting. If you want the full 100% of your donation to go to Cycling out of poverty please use the transfer mentioned above.