Bike Donations in Lilongwe
The Tour d’ Afrique Foundation donated fifty-seven bicycles in Lilongwe, Malawi. Bicycles were split between two non-profit organizations—CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief) and Coopi Maleeza. Fundraising for 41 of the bicycles came from 2008 riders: Kerri Finlayson (28 bicycles), Deborah Menzies (8 bicycles), and Maxime Allard (5 bicycles). Sixteen of the bicycles were donated through funds raised by previous TDA riders: Phil Hart (3 bicycles), Monty Orr (5 bicycles), J.J. Hilsinger (5 bicycles), and Fred Pomoli (3 bicycles).
At the donation, a CPAR representative gave a brief speech thanking the TDA for bicycles and reiterating the importance of bicycles to their mission. He explained that much of their work takes places Malawi’s rural villages and bicycles allow peer educators to visit many villages in a day. Coopi Maleeza’s representative expressed her gratitude for the bicycles and explained the bicycles' importance in preventing malaria.
The bicycles were purchased through the Africycle program (www.africycle.org), a non profit organization that collects used bicycles in Toronto and ships them to Malawi via shipping container. When they arrive in Zomba, Malawi, the Africycle shop—run by volunteers and trained locals— repairs and restores the bikes to be sold locally.
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Posted April 07, 2008 by Chris Boehner
Malawi | News Briefs |
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