TDA Foundation Bike Donation in Windhoek
Saturday, April 26th, 2008 - Windhoek, Namibia
The Tour d’ Afrique Foundation donated 68 bicycles in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday, April 26th. Bicycles were split between three non-profit organizations— Physically Active Youth (PAY), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Penduka TB Programme. Fundraising for all 68 of the bicycles came from TDA 2008 rider Chris Wille, a native of Victoria, British Columbia.The event was held at Joe’s Beer House and facilitated by Michael Link, a representative from the Namibian branch of the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN).
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - Osire refugee camp The camp is located in central Namibia, about 225 Km from the capital Windhoek, and currently has about 6,000 camp-based population including refugees and asylum seekers (down from 20,000 in 2001), of which 75% are Angolans, followed by others from Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They received 19 bikes that will support healthcare activities, education and youth mobilisation.
Physically Active Youth (PAY)
They are a community-based strategy to help support and facilitate the development of youth in an at-risk context, in a low-income neighbourhoods in Katutura. Their mandate is academic excellence through sport training. They currently have 85 students. After last year's donation from the TDA Foundation, PAY now has a cycling programme. This year they are receiving 32 bikes, of which 12 will be MTB for their mountain bike team.
Penduka TB Programme
Penduka TB Programme provides treatment, care and support to just over 500 patients a day at 14 community-based health facilities located throughout Katutura. Approximately 70% of the staff are themselves former TB patients.
They also have community outreach activities to educate the community about the signs and symptoms of TB and the importance of early diagnosis and to help reduce misconceptions and misunderstandings about the disease that can lead to stigma and discrimination and finally to educate the community about the importance of providing care and support to TB patients. These activities are carried out in schools, churches, health facilities, open markets and any place people gather and perform dramas and share information about TB. They are receiving 13 bikes for the community outreach activities.
Four extra bikes will be allocated to Penduka's activities with TB patients hospitalized at Katutura State Hospital. Because these patients pose a possible public health risk they are usually inpatients for 12 -18 months. Due to the poor conditions in the hospital these patients often have very little to do or to entertain themselves. In order to address this we are starting a community garden for them at the hospital, a drama group and a choir. The bikes will be used by patients as an opportunity to exercise (which is very good for their physical treatment) and to get outside in the fresh air. The actual hospital grounds are quite extensive and have an elaborate road networks within the compound that the patients could use without ever leaving the hospital grounds. It is felt that the bicycles would provide the patients with a form of exercise and entertainment.
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Posted April 29, 2008 by Michael Coo
Namibia | News Briefs |
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