Service
above Self
News
2013/2014
Rotary BIKES4 AFRICA Appeal
The Jole Rider Bikes 4 Africa is an ongoing Project within Rotary International Britain and Ireland with a mission to change lives through education. Many African children live in remote communities a long way from the nearest school and have to walk up to 20 miles in the searing heat to be educated, having a bicycle will make a world of difference to these children.
Bikes 4 Africa refurbishes second-hand bicycles which have been donated and deliver them to African schools.
Enniskillen Rotary Club recently became involved in the Project. The Club are collecting old bicycles from around the County and beyond and transporting them to Loughan House Open Prison in Blacklion where they are refurbished by the inmates and transported across to England and loaded into sea containers and shipped to Africa. When the bikes arrive in The Gambia district they are distributed to schools, the bicycle remains the property of the school and is allocated to the children who are most in need.
Enniskillen Rotary Club International Chairman Ivan Kee is co-ordinating the collection of bicycles, contact no. 07768000167, or bicycles may be left at the Furnish Store, Derrychara, Enniskillen. A recent fund-raising event was held at the Kee home which raised £2,365.00, thanks are expressed to all who supported this, the funds will be used to cover the cost (£10 per bicycle) of transport to Africa.
Enniskillen Rotary Club has set a target of collecting 250 bicycles for transporting on to Africa, the first consignment of 24 bicycles left the Furnish Store enroute to Loughan House for refurbishment. The Club is appealing to the public to check if they have any old bicycles or cycle helmets which are no longer required, please contact Ivan Kee, President Roy Crawford or any Rotarian and collection can be arranged.
