All posts by Michael Sabrio
Protected: Kosovo, April 2025: Back on the Road, A Long-Awaited Reunion of Wheels and Hope
Protected: Albania, February 2025: Special Delivery for Klodjan
Protected: A Heartwarming Visit to Memaliaj: Fulfilling Dreams and Spreading Joy
Protected: Sierra Leone 2025: Village Care Initiatives
Hola de Fidesma
From: Fundacion Fidesma
Date: November 27, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM EST
To: David Schweidenback
Don David, muchos saludos departe los compañeros de Fidesma.
Ya realizamos la revision de bicicletas y su inventario, y estamos agradecidos por mandarnos las Maquinas de cocer. Gracias por las pelotas, por las llaves, por otros accesorios o repuestos, mas los plwod. que siempre lo necesitamos.
Todo esta muy bien, las Bicicletas estam bonitas, y estamos iniciando las primeras ventas y entregas de bicicletas.
Espermos enviarle mas fotos y las historias de como se utillizan aqui las bicis.
Atentamente,
Margarita Caté de Catú and the entire FIDESMA ECOLOBICI team
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Meet Kevaun Mckesey, Belize Bike Program
Kevaun Mckesey, a 22-year-old from Belize, is an inspiring young man who has been part of our organization for the past two years. In that time, he has consistently demonstrated determination, honesty, supportiveness, and an unwavering work ethic. In a nation where many young men his age face challenges such as gang involvement, incarceration, or untimely deaths, Kevaun stands out as a beacon of hope and purpose.
Currently, Kevaun oversees the assembly operations for our bicycle sustainability program. His leadership and dedication have propelled our bicycle sales to new heights. Through this program, we are not only able to employ Kevaun but also provide opportunities for others, offering fair wages and sustainable employment.
Recently, we were thrilled to secure a scholarship for Kevaun to pursue his educational goals. Starting in January 2025, he will begin online classes at Carolina University in North Carolina.
We are deeply grateful for Kevaun — not just for his contributions to our organization but for the positive impact he represents for the future of Belize. His story reminds us of the incredible potential that lies within our youth when given the opportunity to thrive.
Collection Sponsors, 2024
- Panther Lake Camping Resort
- Westfield Rotary Club
- Newtown Rotary Club
- St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
- Vineland Rotary Club
- Pilgrim Presbyterian Church
- Chester County Solid Waste Authority
- St. Johns Episcopal Church
- Women’s Club of Paramus
- Bernardsville United Methodist Church
- Monmouth Social Club
- Sri Sathya Sai Global Council Center of Bridgewater
- Temple Beth-El
- Millburn Earth Day
- Rotary Club of the Rockaways
- Warren Hills Computer Science Club
- Piscataway Magnet School
- Passaic County Office of Solid Waste & Recycling
- Rotary Club of Norristown
- Faith Lutheran Church
- Summit/New Providence Rotary Club
- Clinton Presbyterian Church
- St. Joseph Church
- East Hartford Rotary Club
- East Stroudsburg Rotary and the Smithfield’s Rotary
- Knights of Columbus Council 10830
- Christian Brothers Academy
- Friends of Sean Mullen
- St. John’s Episcopal Church
- Pedals for Progress Vermont & Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
- Livingston Rotary Club
- Doylestown United Methodist Church
Ya recibimos las bicis en Fidesma
From: Fundacion Fidesma
Subject: Ya recibimos las bicis en Fidesma
Date: November 22, 2024 at 2:24:13 PM EST
To: David Schweidenback
Hola, Don David, le informamos que ya tenemos las bicicletas en Fidesma, despues de un largo tramite, en la Aduana Guatemala.
Siempre es una experiencia, diferente, cada vez que las recibimos.
De todo tipo de problemas nos presenta el Puerto en Guatemala, dicen que ya no pueden acelerar tramites porque hay mucho BArcos, y muchos contenedores, tambien que nos toco pagar almacenaje porque nos pasamos de los dias permitidos, en el puerto, pagamos mas dinero, y luego que habia dias de asueto en Guatemala, tambien que los dias sabados y domingos no hacen tramites, y asi muchos problemas nos dan ellos.
Muchas gracias David, por las bicis, estan muy bonitas, y gracias por las Maqinas de cocer. Enviaremos fotos de lo que se a hecho aqui,
Atentamente
Margarita CAte
y todo el equipo de compañeros de Fidesma ECOLOBICI.
Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
Notes from Guatemala, November 2024
FIDESMA, November 22, 2024
From: Fundacion Fidesma
Date: November 22, 2024
Señor David,
We’ve finally received the bicycles at Fidesma, after a long process at Guatemalan Customs. Every container is a different adventure.
The port in Guatemala always gives us all sorts of problems. They say they can’t expedite the paperwork because there are too many ships and containers. We also had to pay extra storage fees because we exceeded the allowed days at the port. Then there were holidays in Guatemala, and they don’t process paperwork on Saturdays and Sundays, and so on. They give us many problems.
Thank you very much, David, for the bikes. They are very beautiful, and thank you for the sewing machines as well.
Sincerely,
Margarita Caté de Catú and the entire FIDESMA ECOLOBICI team
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Translated from the Spanish original
FIDESMA, November 27, 2024
From: Fundacion Fidesma
Date: November 27, 2024
Señor David,
Best regards from the FIDESMA team.
We’ve finished checking the bikes and doing the inventory. And thanks so much for sending the sewing machines. We really appreciate the soccer balls, bike tools, spare parts, and especially the plywood — it’s always handy.
Everything looks great. The bikes are beautiful, and we’ve already started selling and delivering them.
We’ll be sure to send you more pictures and tell you all about how the bikes are being used here.
Sincerely,
Margarita Caté de Catú and the entire FIDESMA ECOLOBICI team
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Translated from the Spanish original
