As we reflect on our 35 years of operation, it is a nice coincidence to check in with some old friends at the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association. Olivier Nsengimana and his organization have been hard at work and continue to make incredible conservation efforts. We shipped 429 bikes and 101 sewing machines in November; here are some wonderful photos of our bikes being offloaded.
As we have documented in the past, many of our bicycles will again support rangers and scientists, who document and log various data for their conservation efforts. They’re also able distribute bikes to locals that live on and around conservation sites to give them mobility towards opportunity in more centralized markets. This environmentally friendly form of transportation also promotes a healthy bike culture that will further help protect the fragile ecosystem.
A major development in this shipment: we sent a large number of sewing machines. With 101 machines shipped in this last container, we hope to give valuable training tools and entrepreneurial opportunities to men and women who live alongside the natural and sensitive conservation grounds.
Local men and women often must make the best of their resources but trespass on conserved land. Women in communities around Rugezi Marsh traditionally rely on harvesting grasses from the wetland to weave mats for income. While this provides livelihoods, it also disturbs the marsh ecosystem and threatens vital breeding sites for the endangered Grey Crowned Crane.
To address this challenge, RWCA supports women to find sustainable alternative sources of income, so they no longer depend on the marsh for survival. Through women’s sewing cooperatives and support from Sewing Peace, the RWCA is supporting 45 women to use practical skills in tailoring, enabling them to make clothes for themselves, their children, and for sale in local markets.
We are incredibly proud to support the RWCA as their conservation efforts go beyond the land it protects by serving the people who live around it. Thank you for helping us extend your beloved sewing machines and bicycles to wonderful programs like the Rwandan Wildlife Conservation Association.