Why I’m doing it
The Community Cycling Center focuses its programs to reach underserved communities in North and Northeast Portland. Their mission is to broaden access to cycling and its benefits through hands-on programs, volunteer projects and their neighborhood bike shop.
Through a variety of programs (including bike camp!), they get kids away from their nintendos and onto bicycles. This increases their physical health, mental health, and self-esteem. If children are America’s future – I’d prefer a bike camp graduate to a Mortal Kombat high scorer.
All of the funds that I raise for the Community Cycling Center will be used to provide bicycles for the Holiday Bike Drive, and the funds will be spread over five years. The Holiday Bike Drive is one of the Community Cycling Center’s best programs. Every year, they provide 500 children from low-income families with a refurbished bicycle, new helmet and bike safety education.
Project Rwanda uses the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope to further economic development in a country that has had more than it’s fair share of hard times. Its two-wheeled mission simultaneously bolsters the economy and allows people to see the country for what it is becoming – a beautiful and safe place to do business and visit.
Project Rwanda helps coffee growers streamline their production process by improving their transportation system. The system? What else – bicycles!!
It’s easy. If the transport time of cherries coming from the coffee field to the washing station is reduced from 6-12 hours down to less than four hours, the quality of coffee will increase significantly, translating into a $0.15 or higher premium per pound of green coffee sold. Sometimes, simple solutions can do the most good.
Project Rwanda engages in a micro-loan program providing 100 bicycles at $175 each, or $17,500, to members of a cooperative in exchange for the cooperative’s promise to repay the micro-loan.