"Seven to a Motobike" photo is courtesy of Mr. Charles King, Portland, Oregon
The Bike Bank Project – Cambodia
A Very Simple Yet A “Life Altering” Concept !
You can make a huge difference in a student’s life in a developing country with your small contribution. For a mere $50, an equivalent to a dinner for one in the West or about 12 cups of Star Buck’s coffee, you can help set an EPIC educational course for a poor, needy, and “worthy” student.
Establish Educational Opportunity !
Your contribution will allow a poor student, especially a female student, the means necessary to get to school. Poor-rural families often can’t afford to send their kids to school let alone providing them the means (transportation) necessary to get to school. Often, the student must walk up to 2 hours, that’s one way, to get to class—IF they can afford attend school in the first place. A bike will cut this travel time from an average 2 hours to 20 minutes or even much less. Your generous support simply means providing
an ‘educational opportunity for a needy and worthy student.
A Gift That Goes a Long Way!
A contribution of a mere $50 will provide a student with a refurbished and sturdy bike equipped with a basket, carrier and generator-powered lamp, that would last for years. This gracious support will help improve--not only the student’s life--but also family’s economic condition tremendously. For a better educated student (especially for a female student) means a better family, a better community, a better country, and a much, much better off world—all for an investment of just $50.
Become a Bike Bank “SPONSOR” Today !
You can participate as a sponsor, through a generous tax-deductible donation of $50 for a single refurbished bike. Please remember that 100% of your tax-deductible contribution will go directly toward this Bike Bank project and your sponsored student. So please skip a dinner (or 12 cups of coffee) and help one kid!
If we don’t do it, who will? Make your cherished tax-deductible donation or contact us for more information!
Please contact: Ronnie Yimsut, USA Program-Coordinator
Phone: (414) 238-5374 or ryimsut@gmail.com
Makes A Real Difference
This is a “trickle up” program—rather than the usual “trickle down” process.
How does it work?
The concept has been proven effective and is also very simple to implement. First, a bike cell of 20 bikes is established and ran by a local volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator will get the first bike as a loaner (everyone needs incentive!). If he or she performs well this bike will be used for as long as it is needed. The coordinator’s job is to recommend and screen needy/worthy candidates who meet all established project criteria. Once the bike is lent out, NOT a give-away here, the student candidate will use and care for it as long as he or she is still attending school. Once the student is out of school, the bike is returned to the Bike Bank for refurbishing and then it goes on to another worthy candidate—to be chosen by the original bike borrower—who should be working and earning a living by now. This bike lending program concept (a contract) can last anywhere between a 5 and 10 year period.
That is it! That is the “composition” of the Bike Bank Project. It is that simple!
So what is the project “established” criteria?
Basically, a student is pre-screened to meet all project criteria before being accepted into the Bike Bank project. Criteria include:
· Priority is given to a female student, especially one with good grades.
· Must remain in school on a part-time or full-time basis and have good grades.
· A community leader or teacher who is willing to back up him or her.
· Giving something back to the community, such as volunteer time.
· A promise to keep the borrowed bike in good repair and working order.
· A promise to return the bike in due time and in good-used condition.
Make a difference! Become a Bike Bank “SPONSOR” Today !
