All posts by Michael Sabrio

Albania, InGear - The Newsletter of P4P

Albania: Acts of Kindness: A 2023 Year-End Recap of Community Support and Achievements

Summer 2024 Newsletter

Mayor of Lushnje, Ms. Eriselda Sefa and Valjon of Absolutely Bikes
Mayor of Lushnje, Ms. Eriselda Sefa and Valjon

As 2023 ended, December 21st marked a significant day in Lushnje, where a heartwarming initiative unfolded to bring joy and assistance to those in need. Joined by the Mayor of Lushnje, Ms Eriselda Sefa, a dedicated team from the municipality embarked on a mission to support 30 families facing economic challenges. The initiative not only aimed at addressing immediate needs but also sought to uplift spirits and make a lasting impact on the community.

Absolute Bike Tirana organised “Cycling Towards Hope”, where 25 bicycles were donated to children and adults alike, creating smiles that lit up their faces. Recognizing the importance of mobility, especially for those living in areas with long distances to cover, the gift of bikes aimed to facilitate transportation to work and other daily activities. The act of generosity provided a means of commuting and fostered a sense of community and togetherness.

On 30 December, in Divjaka was organised “Empowering Women in Divjaka” together with the presence of the mayor Mr. Josif Gorea. In this community, 20 bicycles and five sewing machines were distributed, emphasising women’s empowerment in the region. The sewing machines serve as tools for economic independence, enabling women to create and sustain livelihoods. This thoughtful gesture not only provided practical resources but also conveyed a message of support and encouragement to the women of Divjaka.

Absolute Bikes Reps, Ervin and Valjon, with Gerti
Ervin, Gerti, Valjon

Shifting the spotlight to a remarkable individual, January 26th brought news of Gerti Troka’s outstanding achievement. Gerti, a person with Down syndrome, made headlines by securing the tenth position in the world rankings for swimming. This remarkable feat not only defied stereotypes but also showcased the incredible abilities and potential of individuals with Down syndrome. Gerti’s accomplishment serves as an inspiration, challenging societal norms and celebrating diversity in sports.

As we reflect on these heartwarming initiatives and individual achievements, it becomes evident that the end of the year was not just a time for festivities but also a period of selflessness and community support. The acts of kindness in Lushnje and Divjaka, along with Gerti Troka’s swimming triumph, remind us of the positive impact we can make when we come together to support one another. As we embrace the new year, let these stories serve as a source of inspiration to continue fostering compassion, understanding, and goodwill within our communities.

InGear - The Newsletter of P4P, Tanzania

Chief Promotions, Tanzania, May 2024: Sewing Machine Proposal

Summer 2024 Newsletter

Project proposal for support of sewing machines for Vijana vocational training skills, Tanzania

[Ed. Note: On April 17th 2024 we shipped 72 sewing machines to our newest program in Tanzania, Chief Promotions. This community outreach group is a non-governmental organization formed in 2001 to tackle widespread community problems throughout the country. Chief Promotions empowers underprivileged communities through advocacy, legal support, mobilization, and education. In their continuing efforts to lift struggling communities out of poverty through education, Chief Promotions is embarking on opening a trade school with a focus on carpentry and sewing. Through a two-year sewing course with support from Sewing Peace, Chief Promotions aims to educate displaced individuals facing a wide range of problems. The following project plan outlines the steps they are taking to make this program a reality. Please note Sewing Peace and P4P will not accept in-kind donations of carpentry or hand tools.]

Introduction

Chief Promotions aims to address the socio-economic challenges faced by marginalized groups, particularly orphans, vulnerable children, and women, through comprehensive training in carpentry and sewing. Using our expertise and resources from past endeavors and partnerships with local and international support, this program seeks to equip participants with practical skills, entrepreneurial skills, and the means to build sustainable livelihoods.

Rationale

The need for vocational training in Tanzania remains critical, especially within communities grappling with poverty and limited access to education and employment opportunities. Chief Promotions, with its extensive experience in community outreach and advocacy, recognizes vocational education as a critical resource in empowering individuals and fostering self-reliance. By focusing on carpentry and sewing, this program not only addresses the demand for skilled labor but also promotes gender equality and inclusivity.

Objectives

The primary objective of this initiative is to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged youth, orphans, and vulnerable populations in the Lindi region of Tanzania. Through structured training courses in carpentry and sewing, we aim to provide educational resources that provide lifelong solutions to the problem of unemployment. We will be able to achieve the following outcomes:
  1. Provide practical skills and technical knowledge to equip participants for practical employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
  2. Foster behavioral change by promoting responsible decision-making, reducing substance abuse, and mitigating the spread of HIV/AIDS.
  3. Facilitate access to essential tools and resources to support graduates in launching their own ventures and contributing to local economic development.

Implementation

Administrative Divisions of Tanzania
The vocational training program will be implemented in Mchinga, an administrative ward in Lindi District. Over a three-year period, we plan to enroll and train 90 individuals in carpentry and tailoring, with each course lasting 12 months. The curriculum will provide both theoretical instruction and practical hands-on experience, supplemented by sports activities to promote community development. The organization has engaged the former instructor retiree from the Ministry of Youth as the instructor for carpentry and joinery and will be soon identifying a sewing instructor.

Partnership and Sustainability

Sustainability lies at the heart of this initiative, and we recognize the importance of forging partnerships with key stakeholders to ensure long-term impact. Local churches, gender clubs, government agencies, and vocational training authorities will play instrumental roles in program delivery, resource mobilization, and community engagement. Moreover, our commitment to empowerment extends beyond graduation, as we intend to provide graduates with essential tools (sewing machines donated by Sewing Peace) and start-up capital to kickstart their entrepreneurial ventures, thereby fostering self-sufficiency and reducing dependency.

Monitoring and Evaluation

A thorough monitoring and evaluation framework will be implemented to track progress, measure outcomes, and address emerging challenges. Monthly and quarterly meetings will be conducted to review performance, solicit feedback, and promote transparency. External evaluations will be conducted annually to assess program effectiveness and inform future iterations. This will include reporting from Chief Promotions to Sewing Peace as detailed in our contractual agreements.

Risk Management

Mitigating risks is essential to safeguarding the integrity and sustainability of the program. Through prudent financial management, transparent governance, and adherence to regulatory requirements, we aim to minimize the risk of mismanagement and misuse of resources. Legal registration, land tenure agreements, and stakeholder engagement will further mitigate operational risks and ensure the program’s continuity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proposed vocational training program represents a holistic approach to addressing socio-economic disparities and promoting sustainable development in Tanzania. By investing in skills development, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment, we aspire to create lasting change and unlock the full potential of marginalized individuals and communities. Together with Chief Promotions and our esteemed partners, we are committed to realizing this vision and building a brighter future for all Tanzanians. Thank you,
InGear - The Newsletter of P4P, Tanzania

Chief Promotions, Tanzania, May 2024: Bikes for Girls

Summer 2024 Newsletter

Tackling child marriage by giving 1000 girls bicycles, Tabora DC, Tanzania

Summary

Tanzania: Bikes for GirlsThis project plans to support a bicycle each for higher secondary education of 1000 poor girls (6-7 std.) in Tanzania where they are forced to walk at least 4-12 KM for nearest higher secondary school. A bicycle in hand, a girl is more secure on the way, regular in school, saves time & energy for better performance that help feel the gap of pass out percentage between boys and girls. Her continuous engagement in school means less chances of her being victims of child marriage at home.

Challenge

Thousands of girls across Tabora DC do not continue their high school education & are married young. Among others one of the key reason, they drop the school is their long commute. They become tired and are insecure on the way. Further, expected to help with household chores, girls are often kept at home for various excuses while their brothers attend school. Due to this they are irregular and often late for school.This project will help continue high school education of 1000 girls in Tabora,Tanzania.

Solution

As an initiative to end child marriage, this project will provide a bicycle gift each to 1000 poor girls who are in 6-7th standard in government schools in the Tabora (High child marriage ratio zone). Additionally they will be provided with a school bag, air pump & common tools to repair their bicycle. A bicycle in hand, a girl is more secure on the way, regular in school, saves time & energy for better performance that help her continue her study further & avoid child marriage.

Long-Term Impact

This project educates 1000 girls from poor and marginalized group to have higher secondary degree in school. Voices of girls in the typical male-dominated Nyamwezi family are rarely heard and valued. A higher secondary level educated girl is matured & confident enough to decide about her carriers, marriage & her role in the house & the society. She can influence the family decision and even convince her parents what is best for her. Once a girl is educated & empowered rest she will do all alone.

Please visit our website for more information: Chief Promotions

Thanking You,
Yours truly,
Dr.Amon Mkoga
Chief Promotions, Managing Director
0755-638 004/0655-638 004
Business

P4P/SP 2023 Annual Report: 10/01/2022 to 09/30/2023

Pedals for Progress, a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, empowers sustainable economic development by recycling bicycles and sewing machines from the U.S. and shipping them to motivated people in the developing world. Pedals for Progress (P4P) is a nonprofit charity incorporated under the laws of New Jersey, and registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code (EIN: 22-3122003). An eleven-member unpaid board of trustees oversees a paid staff of 2 and a network of hundreds of volunteers.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

Pedals for Progress shipped 5 containers and 3 LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments for a total of 2,161 bicycles, and 417 sewing machines, to 5 nonprofit agency partners in 5 developing countries. This brings cumulative donations shipped since 1991 to 164,932 bicycles, 6,173 sewing machines.

We concentrated our collection operations within the New York City and Philadelphia suburbs increasing our efficiency. Our bicycle and sewing machine collections were sponsored by 32 community partners in four states.

2023 Shipments

Recipients of Fiscal 2023 Bicycle Container Shipments

  1. Association Défi et Révolution de la Vie Rural (DRVR), Togo (381 bicycles and 100 sewing machines)
  2. Fundación Integral de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Oriente (FIDESMA), San Andres Ixtapa, Guatemala (913 bikes and 35 sewing machines in two shipments)
  3. P4P/Belize, Belize (867 bicycles and 120 sewing machines in two shipments)

Started the year 10/1/22 with 646 bicycles in inventory.

Ended the year 9/30/23 with 320 bicycles remaining in inventory.

2023 Total Shipped: 2,161, Total Collected: 1,835

Bicycle Shipments by Region

  Fiscal 2023 Fiscal 2022
Africa 18% 60%
Asia 0% 0%
Central America 82% 40%
Eastern Europe 0% 0%

Recipients of Fiscal 2023 Sewing Machine LCL Shipments

  1. Norbert and Friends Missions, Tanzania (72 sewing machines)
  2. Mityana Open Troop Foundation, Uganda (90 sewing machines)

Started the year 10/1/22 with 220 sewing machines in inventory.

Ended the year 9/30/23 with 221 sewing machines in inventory.

2023 Total Shipped: 417, 2023 Total Collected: 418

Sewing Machines Shipments by Region

  Fiscal 2023 Fiscal 2022
Africa 63% 78%
Asia 0% 0%
Central America 37% 22%
Eastern Europe 0% 0%

OVERSEAS PARTNERS

During the year, Pedals for Progress focused on a small number of reliable partners for the majority of our shipments.

The most critical factors in creating a sustainable, self-financing partnership are shipping costs and effective administration by our overseas partners. We currently consider 3 partnerships as sustainable, i.e., capable of paying for successive shipments. Experience has proven that when the shipping costs are at or below $15 per bike or $10 per sewing machine, with good management, this cost is low enough to sustain a self-financing partnership. Without charitable donations, grants or other funding, Pedals for Progress is limited to working primarily in Central America and the Caribbean, while Africa and Eastern Europe require subsidies to pay their higher shipping costs. Overseas distribution success is determined by per unit cost. Landlocked countries remain beyond our reach due to excessive inland transportation costs. Domestic shipping is also expensive; our domestic inland trucking costs to get shipments to port have more than doubled in the last five years.

While our primary goal is to supply environmentally sound transportation to communities and stimulate the greater movement of goods and services, our partners often generate extra funds from the bikes we ship them. These windfall funds, in turn, finance a breadth of community development activities.

Still, we are hopeful that other partner organizations, including some that did not receive bikes in 2023, will pay all or most expenses for new shipments in fiscal 2024, or subsidies will be found to initiate new programs.

Continuing Partners

  • Guatemala: Fundación Integral de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Oriente (FIDESMA), San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango
  • Tanzania: The Norbert and Friends Foundation, Arusha
  • Togo: Association Défi et Révolution de la Vie Rurale (DRVR), Vogan
  • Uganda: The Mityana Open Troop Foundation, Mityana
  • Belize: P4P/Belize, Belize City

New Partners 2023

There were no new partners to report in fiscal year 23. Special attention was given to maintain current partnerships that needed increased focus to help them regroup costs due to ripple effects of the pandemic. We are planning to open new international partnerships in fiscal year 24.

FINANCES

2023 was a good year for Pedals for Progress finances. We started fiscal 2023 in a strong financial position with a strong balance sheet. Our operating income relies on four primary income streams: cash donations with bikes and sewing machines, cash donations from the twice-annual solicitation, corporate donations, and revolving funds and fees from our international partners. Solicitations were better than previous year, with larger donations from a couple long-term supporters helping us meet our solicitation goals. Direct corporate donations have been decreasing over the past twenty years due to a focus on employee matching programs. Our sustaining international partners are expected to reimburse Pedals for Progress for the cost of containers or LCL shipments. These are categorized as “revolving funds”: the partners save income to pay for successive shipments. This category met expectations as the number of containers shipped to sustaining partners met the plan. Overall, 2023 operating income exceeded budget.

Operating expenses include four large categories: employee and officers’ compensation, shipping and packing, collections expenses, and office rent. Shipping and packing expenses were higher than expected largely due to the increased cost of shipping and fuel. Collection expenses, office rent, and all remaining minor expenses categories met expectations.

P4P in 2023 had a few extraordinary items. P4P has a conservative investment policy. 2023 was a good period for stocks, bonds, and mutual funds as they generally increased in value. These generated other income for P4P as did some of the stock donations.

Overall, 2023 exceeded financial expectations for P4P.

Balance sheet and profit and loss statements are attached.

CORPORATE DONORS

FedEx continues to deliver to New Jersey, at no cost, the bicycles collected by the Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, based in Burlington, Vermont.

General Pallet, at no cost, supplies the specialized pallets required for international shipping of SP sewing machines.

Berna Construction, donated construction time of a safety railing at our new loading dock.

Davara Industrial successfully donated costs of moving our storage containers.

Kent Bikes donated bicycle parts at no cost.

Thank you to the many corporations that participate through matching gifts.

We are very thankful for the support of these organizations and the recognition they have given us.

KEY VOLUNTEERS

Pedals for Progress depends on the efforts of volunteers, several hundred of them, to publicize and work collections, prep bikes for shipping, help us warehouse bikes, and eventually load them into containers bound for our partner agencies overseas.

We would like to thank Daryl Detrick with the Warren Hills Regional HS Computer Science Club for all of their volunteer hours helping to pack outgoing shipments. A special thanks to Michael Sabrio for managing at bike collections and taking over the Webmaster duties. We thank our Tinkerers Dennis Smyth, Paul Lemaire and Mary O’Brien for their excellent work refurbishing many of the sewing machines we shipped.

We especially thank these collectors:

  • Anne Fitzgerald with Memorial United Methodist Church: 163 bikes and 83 sewing machines and for her time spent on the Board of Trustees
  • Christine Potts with St. John’s Episcopal Church: 196 bikes and 27 sewing machines
  • Jerry Agasar with the Newtown Rotary Club: 158 bikes and 30 sewing machines
  • Daryl Detrick with the Warren Hills HS Computer Science Club: 101 bikes and 39 sewing machines
  • Casey Walsh with Faith Lutheran Church: 94 bikes and 18 sewing machines
  • Martha Clarvoe and the Otsego ReUse Center: 72 bikes and 29 sewing machines and making arrangements for domestic trucking

2023 COLLECTION SPONSORS

  • First United Methodist Church Somerville, NJ
  • Westfield Rotary Club
  • St. John’s Episcopal Church
  • Livingston Rotary Club
  • Vineland Rotary Club
  • Grace Episcopal Church
  • Chester Co. Solid Waste Authority
  • Newtown Rotary Club
  • Ostego ReUse Center
  • Women’s Club of Paramus
  • Piscataway Magnet School
  • Monmouth Social Club
  • Rotary Club of the Rockaways
  • Blair Academy
  • Colts Neck Reformed Church
  • Deleware Recreation Commission
  • Bernardsville United Methodist Church
  • Warren Hills HS Computer Sci Club
  • Fair Lawn Rotary Club
  • Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Long Island
  • Rotary Club of Norristown
  • Passaic Co. Office of Solid Waste
  • Clinton Presbyterian Church
  • Rotary Club of the Palisades
  • Doylestown United Methodist Church
  • Faith Lutheran Church
  • Pedals for Progress
  • Rotary Club of Branchburg
  • Memorial United Methodist Church
  • New Dover United Methodist Church
  • First United Methodist Church
  • St. Stephens United Church of Christ

PROGRAM CHALLENGES

Pedals for Progress began the year on a strong and positive note and we were able to maintain strong financial standing. We still faced challenges stemming from rippling effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, inflation, and increased prices of gasoline and shipping.

The planned action to elect Alan Schultz as President in August 2022 to take over operations from founder David Schweidenback has been completed and Mr. Schultz was able to maintain FY23 finances, budget, and collection efforts. The burdensome salary line from FY22 has subsided and leveled out to become manageable in FY23.

The bicycles collected this year continue to be the highest quality bikes that we have ever collected. The most common brand name was Trek and we collected over 80% mountain bikes in the adult bike category. The vast majority of bikes we collected were originally sold in a bike shop for a relatively high price. P4P collected almost no lesser quality mass merchandise bikes that are sold at big box stores like Walmart. Though the quality of bikes was higher than ever, our volume was significantly down due to the pandemic. The fall collection season was successful and helped us ship the majority of our five containers for the 2023 fiscal year. Spring collections were down compared to our history but improved from the year before. As we are reliant on the success of collections to keep us financially active, we had to rely heavily on our summer solicitation to help us keep up with our added salary line and general operations.

The summer solicitation was successful, and these donations allowed us to finish off the year on a positive note and remain cash positive.

Pedals for Progress developed partnerships worldwide to diversify relationships and reduce the risk of events in one country or region negatively affecting our operations. Since reduction of transportation costs is doubtful, we are seeking sponsorships to supplement our African and other high cost partnerships. Partner programs in Central America, which have a landed cost of under $15 per bike, are successful financially and require no further subsidies to continue shipments. P4P inland partners in Eastern Europe and Africa will fail without financial support. International shipping costs in these regions run from $16 per bike on the coast to as high as $38 inland (Uganda).

Shipping the sewing machines within bicycles shipments makes the delivery of these heavy objects affordable. However, our bicycle partners need relatively few sewing machines. The challenge is to find the funding to deliver machines to small sewing programs like the Mityana Open Troop Foundation in Uganda or to get them delivered very inexpensively. Most new sewing projects require only two pallets of machines. Due to that low volume, initial shipments were previously shipped via air freight, which is very expensive. P4P developed in 2013 the capacity to ship by boat individual pallets of sewing machines at a very reasonable cost. This low-cost shipping allows us to expand our small standalone sewing machine projects globally.

GOALS FOR 2024

During fiscal 2024, Pedals for Progress plans to ship approximately 3,600 bicycles and 600 sewing machines. Collection sites where we send our personnel will be limited to the greater suburbs of New York and Philadelphia. Bicycles collected outside this region need to be delivered to our New Jersey warehouse by the collection sponsors.
Pedals for Progress challenges are financial, not supply-side driven. With more funding, we can collect significantly more bikes within our current footprint and initiate more programs internationally. Increasing production requires more staff for attending potential collections and more vehicles on the road. The operational costs of producing the bicycles and sewing machines are significant. P4P is unable to accept bicycles without an accompanying cash donation; this limits production. Most large charities do not like to give money for operational expenses, but in our case, it is the collection efforts that produce the product we deliver. In many ways, you can think of P4P as a trucking company. Every trip in the truck produces more bicycles and sewing machines, our products. These products make the difference globally by helping people in need help themselves.

2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

  • Jamie Acosta
  • Jerry Agasar
  • John Alexander, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
  • Daryl Detrick
  • Ann Fitzgerald
  • Richard Millhiser, Chair
  • David Schweidenback, treasurer and VP, International Programs
  • Casey Walsh
  • Andrew Williams

STAFF

  • Alan Schultz, President
  • David Schweidenback, Vice President, International Programs and Founder
  • Michael Sabrio, Webmaster
  • Robert Delghiaccio, Warehouseman
  • Otto Hintz, Warehouseman
  • Evan Vaccarella, Warehouseman
  • Joel Ortega. Warehouseman
  • Max Von Orman, Warehouseman

Further information about Pedals for Progress is available at www.p4p.org. This includes our financial statements, IRS Form 990s, and information about our 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status.

To receive our newsletters or information on how to collect bikes and/or sewing machines, contact alan@p4p.org. To request a donation of a container of bicycles or sewing machines, contact Dave at dschweidenback@gmail.com

2023 Financial Statements

2023 profit and loss financial statement

2023 balance sheet financial statement

bicycles, Peace Corps, Sewing Partners

Twenty-Five Years of Collections in Vermont

By Alan Schultz
Fall 2023 Newsletter

Twenty-five years ago, a young boy infatuated with mountain biking was reading Dirt Rag magazine and saw an article about how mountain bikes could help health care workers access remote villages in the developing world, enabling them to help more patients quickly and efficiently. His mother had lived in South Africa as a child and traveled to El Salvador throughout her life. He saw a common ground and showed her the piece. Joanne, the mother in question, sat with the thought for a year and found Pedals for Progress and reached out at just the right time.

As fate would have it, Dorsey Hogg, who had served in the Peace Corps in Botswana, had also reached out to Pedals for Progress after hearing about the organization through the Long Island Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Dorsey wanted to take a shot at running a collection. The problem was the three hundred miles between Vermont and P4P-HQ in New Jersey.

Dave Schweidenback ended up introducing Joanne and Dorsey to each other and the two Vermonters decided to join forces and take on the crazy idea of running a collection in their home state. A bit skeptical, only just finding his stride with his new non-profit, Dave was on board only if the new team would take responsibility for getting the bicycles down to New Jersey.

The two seasoned travelers view time and distance differently than most people and saw this obstacle as a mere speedbump. Through friends, family, significant others, and neighbors they assembled a small team with the common bond of spending time outside of the United States and a desire to continue to help those less fortunate. Some of the first to join included, Matt, who had also served in Botswana, Bob and Paula in Kenya, and Paul in rural Chile; the team tackled the distance between VT and NJ with ease.

First VT collection at Burlington High School, September 1999. Left to right first row: Bob Thompson, Brian Thompson, Matt Hogg, Dorsey Hogg, Unknown, Joanne Headlamp, Paul Demers. Back row: Stephan Demers.

The group came together as the Green Mountain Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (GMRPCV) and held their first collection in 1999 at Burlington High School. The team collected a staggering 138 bikes for their very first collection! With a 26-foot U-Haul rented and ready to go, Matt drove the bicycles to New Jersey with Dorsey following in her car to give him a ride back to Vermont.

Satisfied with their efforts and a job well done, the team decided to do it again! The second year they collected 83 bikes, with Dorsey and Matt making the trip. Year three, after another 114 bikes, Paul took a shot at driving the truck down and then took a train back up to Vermont. Lightning striking three times in a row, they knew they were onto something grand, but the long drives became expensive and tiresome.

During year four, partnering with the Williston/Essex Rotary Club, the distance between VT and NJ suddenly closed. The Rotary Club had a member who handled shipping for IBM. Diligently working her magic, she found someone at FedEx to agree to ship containers at no cost on a space-available basis. The local FedEx office in Vermont has been stalwart in their support ever since, through numerous changes in branch managers and leadership. Just over twenty years later, it has developed into a tradition that has lifted the burden of logistics, while helping hundreds of people every year along the way.

Inside Mary’s barn where refurbish machines are stored during the year

With this key factor in place that offered sustainability to the project, the GMRPCV in Vermont steadily picked up the pace and grew its collection efforts year after year. They have built partnerships with local bike shops participating in bike swaps, held auxiliary collections in smaller areas to maximize their collection efforts, recruited local recycling agencies that provide important financial support, local rotary clubs, student groups, and solid waste groups that all pitch in when they can. The core team has also donated their own time and efforts to fundraising, refurbishing machines, and getting the word out about their collections and our cause through televised news appearances. It goes without saying that the list of volunteers and time spent in 25 years of collections is LONG.

VT team September, 2023

We at Pedals for Progress simply want to say thank you. Thank you to Dorsey, Joanne, and the rest of the team in Vermont that have been helping with our mission for twenty-five years. Knocking it out of the park again, for their 25th Anniversary with P4P, they collected 225 bikes and 127 sewing machines on September 23rd! With this achievement, over the twenty five years of collections, they have collected a staggering 4,900 bikes and 1150 sewing machines that have been shipped around the world. From larger cities like Tirana, Albania, to small villages in rural Togo, these items have drastically changed the lives of thousands of individuals that now have the freedom and mobility to have fair shot at life.

There are hundreds of stories to be told about the team in Vermont. Without fail, there are always a couple interesting stories that come out of each collection. Take for example this small time-capsule that was donated to them this year.

This Singer Featherweight was donated by an unknown individual at this year’s collection. The VT team checks each sewing machine and assesses its condition to help us identify machines that may need to be serviced once they get to New Jersey. Inside this inconspicuous black box there was this note.

Thank you for giving my mother’s sewing machine a new home. She served in the Woman’s Army Corp during WWII, returning home to find herself a single parent with child — me. She went on through the GI Bill to receive a master’s degree in library science in Pittsburgh and returned to Ohio to live with my grandfather and grandmother and older sister. There she oversaw the renewal of the attic into an apartment for us. She worked at the public library and made clothes for me. As time passed and her brother, his wife and three children moved in the house with us and she continued to sew — clothes for me, doll clothes for my cousins as well as costumes for our little play/performances and Halloween! This sewing machine stitched together many wonderful memories and I hope you are able to put it to good use.

We will be doing exactly that, putting this machine to good use by sending it to a partner program abroad. While this story of a sentimental machine that represents a lifetime of stories is specific to one person, the overall sentiment is still a very real theme today. We’ve reported on a multitude of women in situations like this. Whether to people displaced by war, bearing a child alone, or supporting a house full of family members, we aim to provide machines to create change. Machines like this small Singer can provide a financial bedrock through a business endeavor or simply brighten the day of a child wanting a costume. No matter what is being made, our aim is that the result is one of progress and peace.

Sewing Partners, Tanzania

Distribution of Sewing Machines in Arusha, Tanzania, Fall 2023

By Norbert Mbwiliza
Fall 2023 Newsletter

Date: July 7, 2023

Introduction: This development report provides an overview of the distribution process and impact assessment of sewing machines that were received from a donor for rural areas in Arusha, Tanzania.

The objective was to empower individuals in these communities, particularly women, with the means to start or expand their sewing businesses, thereby contributing to their economic and social development.

Distribution Process:

  1. Needs Assessment: Prior to the distribution, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted in collaboration with local authorities, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to identify the target beneficiaries and assess the demand for sewing machines.
  2. Selection Criteria: A set of selection criteria were established to ensure that the machines reached those who would benefit the most.
    The criteria included factors such as income level, sewing skills, and willingness to commit to using the machines for income-generating activities.
  3. Training Program: To maximize the impact of the sewing machines, a training program was developed to provide beneficiaries with basic sewing skills, machine operation, maintenance, and entrepreneurship training. Local trainers were engaged to conduct the training sessions.
  4. Distribution: The sewing machines were distributed in a transparent and equitable manner, following the selection criteria. Distribution events were organized in collaboration with local community centers or village assemblies to ensure community participation and accountability.

Created with GIMP

Impact Assessment:

  1. Economic Empowerment: The distribution of sewing machines has had a significant economic impact on the beneficiaries. Many individuals, particularly women, have been able to start their own tailoring businesses, generate income, and improve their financial stability. The machines have enabled them to offer sewing services to the community, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the local economy.
  2. Skills Development: The training provided alongside the distribution of sewing machines has enhanced the beneficiaries’ sewing skills and knowledge. They have acquired technical expertise in operating and maintaining the machines, leading to increased efficiency and quality of their work. This has also fostered a sense of self-reliance and confidence among the beneficiaries.
  3. Social Impact: The distribution of sewing machines has had positive social implications in the rural areas of Arusha. Women, in particular, have gained increased recognition and respect within their communities as entrepreneurs and providers. The improved economic conditions have also contributed to a higher standard of living, allowing families to access better education, healthcare, and other essential services.

Created with GIMP

Challenges Faced:

  1. Limited Access to Electricity: In some rural areas, access to reliable electricity remains a challenge, affecting the operation of the sewing machines. Efforts were made to address this issue by exploring alternative power sources such as solar energy or setting up community charging stations.
  2. Sustainability: Ensuring the sustainability of the sewing businesses in the long term has been a challenge. Ongoing support and mentorship programs are crucial to help the beneficiaries overcome obstacles, adapt to market demands, and expand their businesses.

Conclusion: The distribution of sewing machines in rural areas of Arusha, Tanzania, has made a significant impact on the economic empowerment and social development of the beneficiaries.

Through increased access to sewing machines and relevant training, individuals, particularly women, have been able to start their own businesses, generate income, and improve their overall well-being. Ongoing support and sustainability efforts are necessary to further strengthen the impact and create a lasting change in these communities.

InGear - The Newsletter of P4P

President’s Message, Fall 2023 Newsletter

Dear friends,

Thank you for being part of our small circle of supporters that believe in our cause and understand the importance of providing individuals tools of personal empowerment to our friends in developing nations around the world. Many of our supporters have been interested in our cause since the very beginning in 1991 and rooting for us along the way. Whether through financial support, volunteering, or simply mentioning our cause to someone looking to donate a bike, your support goes a tremendously long way. It nurtures our incredible network of people who care for others less fortunate.

As we wrap up our fall collection season, I’ve been reflecting on the history of Pedals for Progress and the time it took to build such a wonderful network of support that spans the entire nation. Pedals for Progress was already five years underway when I was born! Over 30 years later we continue to grow and continue our commitment to our founding goals of providing people with reliable transportation to fuel economic stability in communities around the world.

This reflection comes with the success of our fall collection season. We collected enough bikes to make three shipments this fall (the third ready to be loaded very shortly) with fall collections averaging over 80 bikes per collection. I sincerely thank everyone that made this possible, from our donors to volunteers and sponsors, to our warehouse crew, we had an extremely productive collection season.

The fact that we can revisit some of our regular communities year after year and continue to retrieve bikes from behind sheds or sewing machines stowed away in basements speaks to the size of our network. Through this work, we continued to supply our oldest partners in Guatemala while also breaking new ground with programs in Albania. Sewing Peace has been thriving making several shipments of pallets worth of sewing machines to Uganda and Tanzania.

Achieving these goals depends on the collective effort we put into this endeavor. The bikes and sewing machines are out there; it’s simply up to us to organize ourselves to find them. We are not alone, so we can do exactly that. In my mind, Pedals for Progress has always been an organization of regular folks that want to do good. It’s a small-town organization with small town support, an idea that every American can understand. We have been able to come together to support people we have never met and lend a helping hand through a simple tool easily found in our own back yard.

I’d like to thank everyone again who came out to support this fall collection season. Don’t go too far, we will be collecting again come spring and your contribution can make an immediate difference. It can mean a reliable bike for a student to reach school, a sewing machine for a budding entrepreneur, or a lifeline for a family struggling to make ends meet. Your generosity fuels progress, and your belief in our cause keeps us moving forward.

bicycles

Peddling Pedals

By David Schweidenback
Fall 2023 Newsletter

The Pedals for Progress Mission: To empower sustainable economic development by recycling bicycles and sewing machines from the US and shipping them to motivated people in the developing world.

Our goal is to make bicycles available in areas of the world where they did not exist or are in very short supply. In order to accomplish this goal we have to find overseas partners capable of distributing our bicycles effectively. When you bring a commodity into a marketplace, capitalism is the most effective method of distribution. Yes, we sell or our partners sell every bike sent overseas. Just because you sell something doesn’t mean you have to charge a lot. But the act of selling brings order to the act of distribution. It also brings the funds that help pay to ship the bikes overseas and run the distribution facility. Lastly human nature: people take much better care of things that they pay for.

Guatemala FIDESMA bike shopOur partner overseas needs a storefront, some mechanics, an accountant, sales people, and a manager. By selling our bikes at low cost they can still manage to employ those people and help pay shipping costs. Getting two shipments of bikes per year means that there is always work for the mechanics who need to be available for repairs down the road.

Girl riding home from school in Kosovo
Jana on her way home from school. Photo by her mom, Kristina

There is no way to individually choose who should get a bike and who shouldn’t. That is accomplished through the marketplace. It could be that the poorest of the poor might not make the best use of a bicycle. My focus has always been on working adults and children needing to go to school. In a container of bikes there are usually no two bikes alike. Consumers want to choose among the bicycles because they need the right size, color, type of bike. There is also a great difference in the quality of the bicycles. The most expensive bikes we ship can be sold at higher cost to the working middle class so those funds can be used to subsidize the lesser quality bikes that the poor can afford. Every worker mobilized increases the productivity of society and a rising economic tide does raise all boats.

Pedals for Progress is cash poor, item rich. Unfortunately, we have never been excellent at raising funds, but we excel in raising in-kind value. We collect hundreds of thousands of dollars of sewing machines and bicycles every year and transfer that wealth to the poorest countries of the world. Bikes and sewing machines generate income. So not only have we enriched our customers with the value of the items but each of those items will go on to create more revenue.

Pedals for Progress will enter its 34th year in February. We have survived the economy going up and down, the great recession, the pandemic, and the retirement of the founder. With the brilliant energetic young new leadership of Alan Schultz as President, I am confident that the organization will continue to deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars of material aid overseas annually.

Belize, bicycles

Thank You Letter from P4P Belize, Fall 2023

[Editor’s Note: This year we were able to continue to supply P4P Belize with their third container of bikes, an exciting chapter as this shows the new program is finding its stride as a revolving fund program. Belize no.3 was sent on June 3, 2023 that included 428 bikes 20 Sewing machines! Here is an open letter from our friend and partner Derrick Pitts, CEO and Founder of God Cares Outreach.]

Dear Pedals for Progress Team,

I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of everyone at God Cares Outreach (P4P Belize), I want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication in sending containers of bicycles. Your generosity has had a profound impact on our organization and the communities we serve.

Derrick Pitts, CEO and Founder of God Cares Outreach

Through your continuous contributions, we have been able to establish and maintain sustainable platforms that have become the cornerstone of our operations. Your donations have enabled us to launch vital programs such as our feeding program, after-school initiatives, mobile medical services, and various humanitarian efforts. These programs have not only transformed lives but have also helped to create a brighter and more promising future for countless individuals.

Your support has also extended beyond the immediate impact of these programs. It has provided us with the financial freedom to expand our team, hiring dedicated individuals who are passionate about implementing and managing our ongoing initiatives. This growth wouldn’t have been possible without your partnership and belief in our mission.

Every bicycle you send represents more than just a mode of transportation; it symbolizes empowerment, opportunity, and hope. Your commitment to our cause has ignited a chain reaction of positive change that resonates far beyond the immediate beneficiaries. Your compassion has truly made a difference in the lives of many.

As we continue our journey, we are deeply honored to have Pedals for Progress by our side, supporting us every step of the way. Your contributions are a testament to the incredible impact that a collaborative spirit and a shared vision can achieve.

Once again, thank you for your continuous support, generosity, and belief in our mission. We look forward to a future filled with more accomplishments, growth, and positive change, all made possible by partners like you.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Derrick Pitts
Founder
God Cares Outreach