A portion of the funds from the 2018 Rwanda Ride has helped 100 household farmers build gardens to feed their families while also teaching these farmers how to harvest grey water to lessen the impact on an already drought-stricken region of South Africa. These farmers also received a Qhubeka bicycle to help them transport water and their harvests.
Qhubeka, one of the non-profits our event supports, has now donated over 90,000 bicycles on the African continent. These bikes have gone to school children, health care workers, and farmers all in a targeted effort to ease the effects of poverty and lack of access to school, healthcare, and proper nutrition.
Tsatsi Phaweni, Executive Director, Qhubeka NPC speaks to the importance of the project the 50 Mile Ride funded. “Qhubeka is proud to support the Impilo Household Vegetable Garden Establishment and Grey Water Harvesting Project of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Great Commission Networks (GCN) NPC. The project aims to create 100 household food gardens in the Cape Winelands and Cape Metropole districts. Recipients earn their bicycles off their commitment and participation in the project, which will eventually benefit 100 Cape Winelands vegetable garden project participants. The bicycles will allow participants to plant and water their gardens and make sure they get their produce to market as quickly as possible, using their own transport.”
Another exciting development within the Qhubeka program is the launch of its new bicycle building company, Real Bicycle Company (RBC). “RBC is an end-to-end bicycle design and manufacturing entity that will help us to supply the best commuter bicycles in the world, as well as creating a new revenue stream for Qhubeka Charity. Plus we’re providing employment and skills development opportunities in the areas in which we work,” explains Tsatsi Phaweni, director at RBC and Qhubeka.
All bicycles produced in the South Africa manufacturing warehouse will have the South Africa Certificate of Origin, enabling passage of goods to many countries within Africa duty-free. With the launch of RBC, quality bicycles are now being built by Africans for Africans, providing jobs and opportunities beyond the Qhubeka program.
On behalf of Ride for Rwanda, thank you for your support of this event. Your continued participation is supporting so many young African men and women vying to reach their goals – whether through racing or education, changing their family’s lives forever. Together, we’ve impacted thousands of lives over the past 13 years.
Making the world a better place one bicycle at a time! #teamisteam