Category Archives: bicycles

bicycles, InGear - The Newsletter of P4P, Vietnam

Report from Vietnam, Fall 2018

By Nguyen Hanh
Fall 2018 InGear


Nhi Cao, 10 years old, was born into a poor family with five children in a village in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The family lives in a dilapidated house that was built in 2008 with the help of generous donors. Her father, 48 years old, has been working in construction for more than ten years, and can make only irregular visits home from his far-away construction sites. Her mother, 42 years old, earns income for the family with all kinds of work, including selling lottery tickets. Though she is the youngest child, Nhi helps her mother with the house work, and earns a little income by knitting, feeding chickens, and harvesting vegetables after school.

Two of Nhi’s sisters are already out of school after they completed their secondary education, but are still struggling with finding vocational training programs. Most of the time, Nhi and her sister and brother walked more than 2 miles to school while her mother also walked around 25 miles per day selling lottery tickets, earning $10–$15. Nhi’s mom usually works from dawn to dusk but is still unable to meet the family’s expenses. In early 2018 the mother was provided with a micro-loan from The Dariu Foundation (TDF) to invest in raising 100 chickens with the hope of earning some profit and enabling her to afford a new bike by the end of the year.

In June 2018, The Dariu Foundation received a container of bikes from Pedals for Progress (P4P) and Nhi was among the eligible recipients. After TDF refurbished the bike, they sold it to Nhi in June 2018. TDF also used some spare parts from the P4P container to fix Nhi’s old bike.

Nhi and her brother share the P4P bike to ride to school in the morning. The third child uses the repaired bike to ride to school in the afternoon. Nhi’s mother uses the old bike in the morning and the P4P bike in the afternoon, and as a result has nearly doubled her income from her lottery ticket sales.

At the end of August, her mother got a second loan of $400 from Dariu, which, together with the profit of $230 from selling the chickens, she invested in raising a cow. She expects that she could earn $800 from this business by end of 2019, along with an annual profit of around $2,400 from selling lottery tickets. This money should help her repair the house and invest in her children’s education.

In July 2018, Nhi joined Dariu’s coding skill training program (Scratch) for secondary students. She completed a project at the end of the training course, and entered her project in Dariu’s competition among primary students. Unexpectedly, Nhi was among the top ten project winners of Dariu Scratch Summer Camp 2018.

Nhi studies hard and is one of the best students in the class. “Thank you Dariu for giving me such a beautiful and good bicycle. It not only helps me to ride to school but also my mom in her business,” said Nhi. Her mother explained, “I don’t have to use the broken old bike all the time. I am very grateful. I hope in the future my children can continue their education and that Nhi can achieve her dream of becoming a doctor”.

bicycles, Kosovo

July 2018: Kosovo #1 Arrival Report

By Kushtrim Gojani, GoBike

Dear David,

Hope you are well.


Many many apologies for this late reply. The reason I am writing this late is due to a ton of work dealing with bicycles to bring them to good use. The container honestly caught me a little off guard. I knew it would be a container with 450 bicycles but I guess I did not prepare for the work required to assemble them. I am aware of the challenge and sacrifice it took P4P to establish this project in Kosovo, and I am very thankful. This very fact gave me extra pressure, because I don’t want to let you down and I want to make the GoBike & P4P partnership successful.

I managed to clear the container on 11 July 2018 after only 2 nights at customs. This was my first import experience with Kosovo customs, and we had a few problems that I hope we can handle better in the future.

We are a little cash poor, so I could not hire extra mechanics for the bicycles. I have been working intensively myself with the support of friends and family to prepare the bicycles (many of us were inexperienced) and this kept me away from all office work. Apologies once again for responding late.

Now some good news 😃

From the moment we unloaded the container we were very pleased with the reaction of the people here. They appreciate the quality of the bicycles and are eager to buy them. They are quite surprised to see that we brought American bicycles to Kosovo, and they are happy to find bikes that vary from quite inexpensive to professional quality, so there is something for everyone! So far, we see quite a lot of interest in children’s bikes.

The location of the GoBike warehouse is very strategic. It is in the main road between the capital Prishtina and a famous city in north Kosovo called Mitrovica, so people who travel this road and families who live nearby are already stopping by our shop.

We managed to sell 25 bicycles so far, but we are having some overhead. We gave top priority to security so we installed cameras and hired a guard to look after the bicycles during the night.

I will get back to you again once we manage to prepare all the bicycles (another 250 to go) and I will keep you informed about GoBike news and events.

Here is our facebook page.

Thank you ever so much.

All the best,
Kushtrim

bicycles, Vietnam

Report from The Dariu Foundation, Vietnam, June 2018

By Hanh Nguyen (General Manager of The Dariu Foundation, Vietnam)


The Dariu Foundation (TDF) was established in 2002 in Switzerland with its mission to empower low-income families with microfinance and education. Over the past 15 years, we have advanced the mission objectives by providing access to affordable and readily available microfinance services to thousands of rural low-income women, who are considered as unbankable, in Vietnam and Myanmar. Since 2007, we have provided more than 14,000 scholarships, as well as notebooks, school books, pens, uniforms, rice and bicycles to the disadvantaged and neediest students among the poorest families in the rural areas to prevent them from dropping out of schools at an early age.

We have had fruitful cooperation with international partners, of which Pedals for Progress (P4P) is the organization that has shipped us the most bikes. So far, three containers of bikes and sewing machines have been donated, benefiting around 1,500 families in the rural areas.

We are looking forward to a strong partnership so TDF and P4P can go further with comprehensive social projects in Vietnam.

Case Study in Vietnam

Binh Nguyen was born into a poor family in the mountainous district of Dong Nai province. He is now a secondary-school student, grade 6. One year ago, because of a kidney problem, his mom’s health went bad, and all housework was put on his shoulders and his dad’s. Besides doing all the housework, he got a part-time job as a fruit deliverer to earn some income for the family.

Every morning, Binh had to wake up early, preparing breakfast for his mom and two sisters before he took a four kilometer (2.5 mile) walk to school. When the kids were small, the dad took them to school, but now they have to walk. The family is too poor to afford a bicycle, so two kids had to walk by themselves. After school, Binh again walks home to help his dad harvest fruit, and to do the cooking and other housework. “I was sick and unable to do any job, even a little housework. So Binh has to do all the housework. He is a hard-working and good son. This year he was awarded the best-student prize. I am so proud of him,” said his mom.

In June 2018, he is among 500 students to receive scholarships of bikes donated by P4P via The Dariu Foundation in Vietnam. “I am very happy with my first bike. Now I can take my sister to school with me. And we no longer have to walk to school,” said Binh.

bicycles, Kosovo

New Partner: GoBike Kosovo

GoBike
Spring 2018

GoBike LLC is located in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, Europe’s youngest country. Kosovo is a landlocked country bordering Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia. Kosovo owes its independence largely to U.S., U.K. and other European partners who intervened in 1999 to stop ethnic cleansing of the Kosovo Albanian majority by the policies of Slobodan Milosevic, the President of ex-Yugoslavia. NATO troops are still present in Kosovo, and the U.S. Army has a base in Kosovo, Camp Bondsteel, which can hold up to 7000 soldiers.


The partnership between Kosovo and the U.S. is strategic. Kosovars are extremely grateful towards the U.S. for its continued support, and Kosovar Albanians (more than 90% of Kosovo’s population) tend to be very friendly towards the U.S. This gratitude is visible across Kosovo’s cities, but most notably in Pristina, where one can walk down Bill Clinton Boulevard, turn onto George Bush Street, and end up in Madeleine Albright Hall.

Like all post-war countries, Kosovo faces many political, economic, environmental and social challenges. Although it has the youngest population in Europe (more than 60% are below 25 years old), the unemployment rate remains at 30%, and at around 60% for youth and women. Kosovo is entirely reliant on energy produced from lignite, which is extremely polluting and a perennial health hazard. Post-war development and the corruption associated with it have taken a negative toll on the environment; quality of air, water and soil; increased congestion in cities; and deforestation in rural areas. Kosovo’s capital is often ranked one of the most polluted cities on earth.

In response to these problems, I established GoBike LLC in November 2017 with the mission to promote cycling and bicycle use in Kosovo, reduce transport-related carbon footprint, and improve Kosovo cyclists’ well-being. The vision of GoBike is a Kosovo society with an improved quality of life and environment. Partnering with Pedals for Progress has been crucial to getting this start-up business going.

GoBike aims to stimulate bicycle use, increase the number of cyclists in the city and thus reduce pollution from traffic, and make cycling in Kosovo safer and enjoyable for all. We seek to identify, support, and promote all those who use bicycles as a main mode of transportation, and to lobby for improvements of urban infrastructure for cycling.

GoBike strives to be the number one bicycle provider in Kosovo, with specialized bike shops for rentals, sales, and maintenance. Our business will focus on the organization and promotion of cycling events (excursions, festivals, cycling clubs, etc.) and education of citizens on the importance of bicycle use. This, indirectly, will affect the greater demand for bicycle rental and sale services. In the future, GoBike plans to establish the very first public bicycle rental system, initially in the capital, with the hope of expanding to other cities.

GoBike’s chosen area of focus is not only important in and of itself, but it also has multiple benefits to the environment, contributes to health, and supports Kosovo’s economy and tourism. Kosovars brand themselves as “The Young Europeans”. Hopefully, Pristina and other Kosovo cities will have the cycling infrastructure and attitude towards bikes as other European cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and London.

Pedals for Progress, thank you ever so much for your contribution and support. I look forward to reporting on the contribution our joint endeavor is making to address Kosovo’s environmental and economic challenges.


Kosovo
Population: 1,920,079 (2017 est.)
Area: 10,908 sq km (slightly larger than Delaware)
GDP per capita: $12,003 (2017 est.)

Albania, bicycles

Report from Albania: A Special Day for Bulqizë Kids and Communities

By the EcoVolis Team
Spring 2018

Bulqizë is an Albanian town about 40 miles northeast of Tirana, the capital. During the Communist era Bulqizë was a mining town well known for the high quality of its chromium and copper. At its peak it was home to around 50,000 people with full employment and excellent infrastructure – including schools, health centers, and roads. Mineral enrichment and smelting factories also provided employment for surrounding rural communities.

Today Bulqizë has been reduced to an isolated settlement with fewer than 14,000 inhabitants, who still live in the old and decaying Communist-era apartment buildings erected 45 years ago. Unemployment is high and the majority of families live at or below the poverty line. The tragic loss of life of men who work in the mines has left their families with little or no income. Community members and children thus feel financial and other kinds of pressure, and social problems continue to worsen.


On 1 May 2018, EcoVolis Albania headed to Bulqizë to meet with these communities and donate more than 20 bicycles to the most needy children and families. We also distributed boxes of clothes, toys, books, and modest supplies, providing some much needed relief. EcoVolis activists spent the day in the town talking to people about their lives, hardships, experiences, and daily issues. They also helped children to get on their bikes for the first time in their life, talked to them about their school, dreams, and what it is like growing up in Bulqizë. A local organization joined EcoVolis in this activity, helped us identify the most needy families, and facilitated our interaction with the local community.

At the end of the day, our EcoVolis team headed back to Tirana with fond memories of the children and their excitement when they got their new bikes. At the same time, we realize how much more support is needed in Bulqizë. With a series of similar activities in other vulnerable communities across Albania, our EcoVolis Team has given people there a happy break in their everyday routines. Though we can’t make a fundamental change in their lives overnight, we can give children the hope that their future can be different from their parents’ and we can inspire them to dream big like their peers elsewhere in Albania and the world.

bicycles, Guatemala

Report from Guatemala, Spring 2018

[We just got this short note from FIDESMA, our long-time partner in Guatemala.]

Maria Arecely Reyes Tala is an eight-year-old fourth grader.

She is a girl with dreams. She is a happy, playful little person. She used to see the other girls with their bikes, and was always hoping to have a bicycle of her own. Now she has one.

From the first moment that she got her bike from FIDESMA, she was very eager to learn how to ride it. She learned very fast and now handles the bike very well. She rides a little every day. She likes to run errands at the store and ride all around town making mischief.

Pedals for Progress and all their collaborators and volunteers bring smiles to Guatemalan and many other children.

Thanks to P4P for your support, which allows us to offer bikes at prices that everyone can afford.

Albania, bicycles

Diary, Container Albania #12, Fall 2017

On October 21, 2017, we loaded P4P container Albania #12 bound for Durrës, Albania: 494 bicycles and 30 sewing machines. The container got trucked to Port Newark, then shipped to Haifa, Israel. The container vessel was the Asiatic Liberty. The route of the Asiatic Liberty in December 2017 included Haifa and Ashdod, Israel; Koper, Slovenia; Venice and Ravenna, Italy; and Durrës Albania.

[More photos]


Our international shipments always include a heap of logistics. But because of bad weather in and around the Mediterranean Sea, the Albania #12 container had more drama than usual, including a failed attempt to dock in Albania.

The good news is that Ecovolis, our partner in Albania, finally got the shipment on 29 December 2017, and unloaded it around midnight the same day.

Here’s the story. Roxana and Lauren work for the shipping companies we use.

On Thu, Oct 19, 2017 at 8:40 AM, Roxana wrote:

Good morning David,

We are waiting for the OBLS (Original Bills of Lading), I think we will receive them tomorrow or Monday, once I have them I’ll send them you.

Thanks!

On Tue, Oct 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM, Roxana wrote:

Dear David,

We will send OBLS to you.

Tracking number 770572513697

Thanks!

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 11:06 AM, Roxana wrote:

David

We just received a notice from the SSL that ETA change

On Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 11:01 AM, Roxana wrote:

Hello David!

Happy Halloween =)

I’ve not received the OBLS yet, I’ll check and advise

Thanks!

Best Regards,

Roxana

On Fri, Nov 3, 2017 at 12:01 PM, Roxana wrote:

Dear David

Please find below tracking number for your OBLS

770665449880

Best Regards,

Roxana

On Nov 6, 2017, at 9:48 AM, Roxana wrote:

Good morning David

Could you please confirm that you have received OBLS?

Thanks!

On Wed, Nov 15, 2017 at 8:04 AM, Roxana wrote:

Dear David

Please find below tracking of this shipment for your reference

On Tue, Dec 5, 2017 at 9:51 AM, Roxana wrote:

Dear David

The vessel has ETA for today, I’ll keep you posted about any update

Thanks!

On Dec 6, 2017, at 9:57 AM, Roxana wrote:

Hello David

Please consignee is doing customs clearance.

Thanks.

From: Roxana

Subject: Re: 13877 Re: ZIMUORF0741498
Date: December 11, 2017 at 11:22:15 AM EST
To: David Schweidenback

Dear David

Good morning,

Kindly note that the container did not discharge in Durrës port.

Below you will find the email we received from ZIM Line Albania:

Dear Client

We would like to inform you that vessel Asiatic Liberty arrived Durrës on Saturday 9th of December but due to bad weather conditions and huge delays, vessel omitted call. We will keep you informed about arrival of containers as soon as possible.

On Tue, Dec 12, 2017 at 4:11 AM, Lauren wrote:

Dear David,

I apologize due to the delay at the Port, I hope it is promptly fixed. Roxana and I will continue to update you on the status of this shipment.

Please let us know if you need anything else,

Lauren

On Thu, Dec 14, 2017 at 9:51 AM, Roxana wrote:

Dear David

Please note that consignee is still doing customs clearance, I’ll let you know once shipment is released.

Thanks!

On Thu, Dec 14, 2017 at 10:50 AM, Roxana wrote:

Dear David,

Hope you are doing well

Please note that we have not received any update yet.

I’ll keep you posted

Best Regards,

Roxana

From: Roxana
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2017 11:58 PM
To: David Schweidenback Subject: Re: 13779 II Re: 8016759110

Dear David

Website shows that shipment was delivered, I’m waiting for agent confirmation and I’ll confirm you.

Best Regards,

Roxana

From: Lauren
Date: December 19, 2017 at 6:32:27 PM EST
To: Roxana, David Schweidenback

Dear David,

The agent confirmed the shipment has been cleared from Tema Port.

From: Fran
Subject: Re: 13877 Re: ZIMUORF0741498
Date: December 22, 2017 at 10:20:14 AM EST
To: Roxana
Cc: David Schweidenback

Hello David!

I hope you are well. Here is the latest update:

Container ZCSU7071639 is expected to arrive tomorrow at the afternoon in Durrës port, Albania.

Thanks.

On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 5:40 PM, David Schweidenback wrote:

Howdy,

¿Did you get the container?

From: Ened Mato
Subject: Re: container
Date: December 30, 2017 at 12:48:36 PM EST
To: David Schweidenback

yesterday

Ened Mato
Ecovolis Director

Here are the ports of call of the vessel Asiatic Liberty on the fateful voyages. In the first voyage, the vessel bypassed Albania because of “weather and huge delays”.

Port Name Direction Local Arrival Local Departure
Haifa W 29-Nov-2017 30-Nov-2017
Ashdod W 30-Nov-2017 01-Dec-2017
Koper E 05-Dec-2017 06-Dec-2017
Venice E 06-Dec-2017 07-Dec-2017
Ravenna E 07-Dec-2017 08-Dec-2017
Haifa E 13-Dec-2017 13-Dec-2017
Port Name Direction Local Arrival Local Departure
Haifa W 13-Dec-2017 13-Dec-2017
Ashdod W 14-Dec-2017 15-Dec-2017
Koper E 19-Dec-2017 19-Dec-2017
Venice E 20-Dec-2017 20-Dec-2017
Ravenna E 21-Dec-2017 21-Dec-2017
Durrës E 22-Dec-2017 23-Dec-2017
Haifa E 27-Dec-2017 28-Dec-2017
bicycles, Collectors

Rotary Club of Norristown, PA, December 2017

by Mark Call

[The Norristown, Pennsylvania, Rotary Club is one of our most successful long-time collectors. We just got this end-of-season report. They are already collecting for next year.]


Janet Steiner is a friend of the club who makes numerous donations to our collection each year. She runs ads in her church bulletin asking for bike donations, and she stores donated bikes in her garage.

Ginny Politz is the owner/operator of Bikesport in Trappe, PA. Bikesport makes several deliveries to us each year of trade-in bikes that people no longer want.


We have the use of a trailer generously donated by G. L. Sayre trucking in Conshocken, PA. We process the bikes and store them in the trailer until the next P4P collection. We already have 45 bikes and 10 sewing machines.

Our last two collections have netted 97 and 95 bikes. Our next collection is May 19, 2018, at the Norristown Area High School lot during West Norriton Community Day.