[Vision2020] Africa or Ghana?
Linda Pall
lpall@moscow.com
Sun, 15 Dec 2002 10:22:28 -0800
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Dear Rwiza, Bill, Dave and Visionaries,
You are right, Rwiza: Ghana and ALL of Africa are NOT synonymous!
I have a special connection with Ghana: friends, city and regional =
officials, school library donations and a visit in 1999... plus a =
near-death experience on the way from Cape Coast to Kumasi (!).=20
I have followed and applaud Dave's work. Ghana is a wonderful country... =
oddly like Idaho, except warm. Timber, agriculture and mining power the =
economy. I think every last person in the country is gainfully making =
his or her way... I was totally impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit: =
the foo foo seller, the dressmaker, the weaver, and, yes, the bicycle =
repairer. Where else would I find "The Elvis Spot" within a mile of God =
First Supermarket?
I can't wait to have an excuse to return. It was an honor to get to know =
(a little) one part of Africa. Perhaps one day I will be able to visit =
some of the other parts of the continent that is the ancestral home of =
us all. Thanks to Dave for his work, to Bill for passing on the word =
and to Rwiza for reminding me of my fondness for a particular piece of =
West Africa.
All the best,
Linda
----- Original Message -----=20
From: katetegeilwe rwiza=20
To: london@moscow.com ; vision2020@moscow.com=20
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 5:26 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Africa or Ghana?
Dear 'Vissionaries',
I appreciate what you are doing for my brothers and sisters in Ghana. =
But, I still hoped you could differentiate between Africa as continent =
and Ghana as a country. Often I am disappointed how little America know =
about Africa. Africa is not a country. Now, when you say you spent a =
month in Africa, were you in Egypt, Botswana, Congo etc?
Plaese keep up the non-profit work you are doing and hope it could be =
applied to other countries in that 'poor' continent.
Rwiza
486 Taylor Avenue # 3,=20
Moscow,
Idaho 83843,
USA
Tel.: 1-208-885-1452
WebPage: http://www.uidaho.edu/~rwiz2091
----Original Message Follows----=20
From: Bill London=20
Reply-To: london@moscow.com=20
To: Vision2020=20
Subject: [Vision2020] Village Bicycle Project=20
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 11:40:59 -0800=20
Moscow resident Dave Peckham created the Village Bicycle Project to =
gather castaway=20
bicycles in the US, ship them to Africa, and train Africans to repair =
them. The=20
project has been very successful, as you can read in the update report =
below. If you=20
want to help with the project, donate a bicycle, or receive further =
email reports,=20
please contact the Village Bicycle Project at=20
BL=20
Village Bicycle Project Update 2002=20
With over two thousand bicycles sent from American basements to =
Ghana's streets=20
and roads, three hundred distributed through direct village workshops, =
and nearly 1000=20
bike tools seeded in the market, the Village Bicycle Project has =
advanced beyond the=20
start-up phase, and we're ready to take off our training wheels.=20
>=20
> We are now focused on just three programs, those that flourished =
during=20
> our first three years. I spent a month in Africa this summer and am =
pleased=20
> to dispatch this update.=20
>=20
> PROGRAM NEWS:=20
> 1. Sending bikes=20
> We shipped three containers of used bikes and parts this year, over =
1300=20
> bikes. Two were from Bike Works in Seattle (www.scn.org/bikeworks) =
and the=20
> third from Bike Not Bombs, (www.bikesnotbombs.org) a Boston group =
that has=20
> been sending bikes to Central American countries for nearly twenty =
years.=20
>=20
> Our Ghanaian partners George Aidoo and Samson Ayine manage the =
customs=20
> process and cover the shipping costs. In exchange they sell three =
quarters=20
> of the bicycles, from a storefront in the capital Accra. These bikes =
ease=20
> shortages, and keep prices affordable.=20
>=20
> This program is self-sustaining, and requires no donor funding for =
operating=20
> expenses, only the donation of your good used bikes. Collection =
sites are=20
> in Seattle, Boston, and Moscow, Idaho. We hope to have a center in =
the San=20
> Francisco area soon.=20
>=20
> 2. Maintenance Workshops=20
>=20
> Our maintenance workshops distribute affordable bicycles in rural =
villages=20
> and teach the skills needed to maintain them. In exchange for =
participating=20
> in the day-long class, attendees get a bike for half-price (maximum =
$25).=20
>=20
> While in Ghana I was able to observe a workshop in the village of =
Abura. It=20
> was a fantastic opportunity to work closely with our Ghana educators =
on=20
> fine-tuning the course. As a result:=20
>=20
> - We will no longer teach bearing adjustments, as it's too =
technically=20
> delicate for beginners. Instead we'll be spending more time helping =
riders=20
> identify loose and tight bearings that will quickly spoil, and =
urging them=20
> to take the problem to the local repairer.=20
>=20
> - The village repairers will be active players in the long-term =
upkeep of=20
> the bikes, so we're adding some extra time in the program to =
familiarize=20
> them more with these European and North American bikes that are =
becoming=20
> more common around the country.=20
>=20
> - We will no longer limit the workshops to just one village =
repairer.=20
>=20
> Our workshop hosts are Peace Corps volunteers. As resident =
outsiders, they=20
> are well connected to the community yet unencumbered by family =
pressures and=20
> favors owed. We have held ten workshops with the Peace Corps and =
look=20
> forward to their continued participation.=20
>=20
> George and Samson, who serve as the workshop teachers, both enjoy =
the=20
> opportunity to travel, meet new people, teach bike skills, while =
earning a=20
> living wage.=20
>=20
> I also paid visits to two villages where we held workshops in 2001. =
In=20
> Volivo, I saw 18 bikes and/or their owners. I found that more than =
half of=20
> the bikes had had breakdowns in the drive train, i.e. the chain, =
crank, or=20
> freewheel. The good news is that the participants were still very=20
> enthusiastic about the bikes, but I find the level of breakdowns=20
> unacceptable. We will need to ensure that the drive trains of our =
workshop=20
> bikes are solid, even if this means more work for Ghanaian =
mechanics, or=20
> buying new parts in the bike market!=20
>=20
> For a long-term solution, we need to consider using new bikes for =
the=20
> workshops. This should improve durability and cut problems with=20
> non-compatibility of replacement parts. The cost of new bicycles is =
the=20
> biggest obstacle.=20
>=20
> The workshops need lots of financial support. This is our grassroots =
> outreach, touching farmers, teachers, small business owners, health =
workers,=20
> rural students. With the bikes they buy from our workshops, these =
villagers=20
> can make a living delivering food or water, or spend more time =
tending their=20
> farms instead of walking up to 12 miles each way. It's a helping =
hand for=20
> people with the ambition and conviction to take a day to study bike =
repair=20
> and invest half the price of bicycle.=20
>=20
> The cost of one workshop is $350. This covers: tools for the village =
> repairer(s), 50% subsidies for 20 bikes, and the cost of training =
and=20
> transportation. Workshop sponsorships are available to individuals,=20
> organizations, companies, churches, and civic organizations, for a=20
> donation of $350. Won't you sponsor a workshop today?=20
>=20
> 3. Tools Program=20
> Our partner-donor ITDP (www.itdp.org) arranged an initial $1000 =
order from=20
> Taiwan toolmakers, extending the credit to our Ghana managers, =
George and=20
> Samson. In July I had the pleasure of introducing the tools in =
neighboring=20
> countries of Togo and Benin. Its always fun to watch the faces of =
curious=20
> mechanics light up when they discover that, with the right tools, =
they can=20
> easily and safely repair rear wheels or replace cranks. I would love =
to take=20
> several months on my own to tour West Africa by bike, taking tools =
around;=20
> it is enormously gratifying work.=20
>=20
> The use of these tools has eased shortages of rear wheels and cranks =
in=20
> Ghana's capital Accra over the last two years. Simply put, more of =
Ghana's=20
> bikes stay on the road, and fewer end in trash heaps.=20
>=20
> In order to get tools flowing to bike mechanics on a sustainable =
basis,=20
> (i.e. affordable without subsidies), we have to get volumes up. With =
larger=20
> orders shipping and clearing become a smaller part of the total =
cost. Most=20
> mechanics outside of Accra still don't know about these tools. With=20
> donations of $1000 a year, we could gradually expand the reach of =
the tools=20
> throughout at least six neighboring countries within three years.=20
>=20
> Thanks for keeping up with Village Bicycle Project. Please help us =
make our=20
> fourth year our most successful yet.=20
>=20
> Thank you all for your interest and support.=20
>=20
> Best wishes,=20
> David Peckham=20
>=20
> Project totals through November 29, 2002=20
> 2,049 bikes sent to Ghana, in 5 shipments=20
> 27 workshops held=20
> 338 discounted bikes distributed=20
> 424 repair trainees=20
> $3,900 bicycle repair tools test-marketed=20
>=20
> Workshop sponsors village=20
> Tri-State Distributors, Moscow ID Adaklu June 2002=20
> Moscow Rotary Club Abura July 2002=20
> Moscow Food Co-op Liati Nov. 25,26 2002=20
> Friends of Gabon upcoming=20
>=20
_____________________________________________________=20
List services made available by First Step Internet,=20
serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.=20
http://www.fsr.net=20
mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com=20
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<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Dear Rwiza, Bill, Dave and=20
Visionaries,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>You are right, Rwiza: Ghana and ALL of =
Africa are=20
NOT synonymous!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I have a special connection with Ghana: =
friends,=20
city and regional officials, school library donations and a visit in =
1999...=20
plus a near-death experience on the way from Cape Coast to Kumasi (!).=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I have followed and applaud Dave's =
work. Ghana is a=20
wonderful country... oddly like Idaho, except warm. Timber, agriculture =
and=20
mining power the economy. I think every last person in the country is =
gainfully=20
making his or her way... I was totally impressed by the entrepreneurial =
spirit:=20
the foo foo seller, the dressmaker, the weaver, and, yes, the bicycle =
repairer.=20
Where else would I find "The Elvis Spot" within a mile of God First=20
Supermarket?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I can't wait to have an excuse to =
return. It was an=20
honor to get to know (a little) one part =
of Africa. Perhaps one=20
day I will be able to visit some of the other parts of the continent =
that is the=20
ancestral home of us all. Thanks to Dave for his work, to Bill for =
passing=20
on the word and to Rwiza for reminding me of my fondness for a =
particular piece=20
of West Africa.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>All the best,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Linda</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A title=3Drwiza@hotmail.com =
href=3D"mailto:rwiza@hotmail.com">katetegeilwe=20
rwiza</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Dlondon@moscow.com=20
href=3D"mailto:london@moscow.com">london@moscow.com</A> ; <A=20
title=3Dvision2020@moscow.com=20
href=3D"mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, December 14, =
2002 5:26=20
PM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Africa or =
Ghana?</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P>Dear 'Vissionaries',</P>
<P>I appreciate what you are doing for my brothers and sisters in =
Ghana. But,=20
I still hoped you could differentiate between Africa as continent and =
Ghana as=20
a country. Often I am disappointed how little America know about =
Africa.=20
Africa is not a country. Now, when you say you spent a month in =
Africa, were=20
you in Egypt, Botswana, Congo etc?</P></DIV>
<P>Plaese keep up the non-profit work you are doing and hope it could =
be=20
applied to other countries in that 'poor' continent.</P>
<DIV></DIV>
<P>Rwiza</P>
<DIV></DIV>
<P>486 Taylor Avenue # 3, </P>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Moscow,</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Idaho 83843,</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>USA</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Tel.: 1-208-885-1452</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>WebPage: <A=20
=
href=3D"http://www.uidaho.edu/~rwiz2091">http://www.uidaho.edu/~rwiz2091<=
/A></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>----Original Message Follows----=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>From: Bill London <LONDON@MOSCOW.COM>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Reply-To: london@moscow.com=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>To: Vision2020 <VISION2020@MOSCOW.COM>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Subject: [Vision2020] Village Bicycle Project=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 11:40:59 -0800=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Moscow resident Dave Peckham created the Village Bicycle =
Project to=20
gather castaway=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>bicycles in the US, ship them to Africa, and train Africans =
to=20
repair them. The=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>project has been very successful, as you can read in the =
update=20
report below. If you=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>want to help with the project, donate a bicycle, or receive =
further=20
email reports,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>please contact the Village Bicycle Project at=20
<VILLAGEBIKESP@HOTMAIL.COM>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>BL=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Village Bicycle Project Update 2002=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>With over two thousand bicycles sent from American =
basements to=20
Ghana’s streets=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>and roads, three hundred distributed through direct village =
workshops, and nearly 1000=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>bike tools seeded in the market, the Village Bicycle =
Project has=20
advanced beyond the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>start-up phase, and we’re ready to take off our =
training wheels.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> We are now focused on just three programs, those that=20
flourished during=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> our first three years. I spent a month in Africa this =
summer=20
and am pleased=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> to dispatch this update.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> PROGRAM NEWS:=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 1. Sending bikes=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> We shipped three containers of used bikes and parts =
this year,=20
over 1300=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> bikes. Two were from Bike Works in Seattle=20
(www.scn.org/bikeworks) and the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> third from Bike Not Bombs, (www.bikesnotbombs.org) a =
Boston=20
group that has=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> been sending bikes to Central American countries for =
nearly=20
twenty years.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Our Ghanaian partners George Aidoo and Samson Ayine =
manage the=20
customs=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> process and cover the shipping costs. In exchange they =
sell=20
three quarters=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> of the bicycles, from a storefront in the capital =
Accra. These=20
bikes ease=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> shortages, and keep prices affordable.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> This program is self-sustaining, and requires no donor =
funding=20
for operating=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> expenses, only the donation of your good used bikes.=20
Collection sites are=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> in Seattle, Boston, and Moscow, Idaho. We hope to have =
a=20
center in the San=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Francisco area soon.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 2. Maintenance Workshops=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Our maintenance workshops distribute affordable =
bicycles in=20
rural villages=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> and teach the skills needed to maintain them. In =
exchange for=20
participating=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> in the day-long class, attendees get a bike for =
half-price=20
(maximum $25).=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> While in Ghana I was able to observe a workshop in the =
village=20
of Abura. It=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> was a fantastic opportunity to work closely with our =
Ghana=20
educators on=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> fine-tuning the course. As a result:=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> - We will no longer teach bearing adjustments, as =
it’s too=20
technically=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> delicate for beginners. Instead we’ll be =
spending more time=20
helping riders=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> identify loose and tight bearings that will quickly =
spoil, and=20
urging them=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> to take the problem to the local repairer.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> - The village repairers will be active players in the=20
long-term upkeep of=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> the bikes, so we’re adding some extra time in =
the program to=20
familiarize=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> them more with these European and North American bikes =
that=20
are becoming=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> more common around the country.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> - We will no longer limit the workshops to just one =
village=20
repairer.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Our workshop hosts are Peace Corps volunteers. As =
resident=20
outsiders, they=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> are well connected to the community yet unencumbered =
by family=20
pressures and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> favors owed. We have held ten workshops with the Peace =
Corps=20
and look=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> forward to their continued participation.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> George and Samson, who serve as the workshop teachers, =
both=20
enjoy the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> opportunity to travel, meet new people, teach bike =
skills,=20
while earning a=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> living wage.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> I also paid visits to two villages where we held =
workshops in=20
2001. In=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Volivo, I saw 18 bikes and/or their owners. I found =
that more=20
than half of=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> the bikes had had breakdowns in the drive train, i.e. =
the=20
chain, crank, or=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> freewheel. The good news is that the participants were =
still=20
very=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> enthusiastic about the bikes, but I find the level of=20
breakdowns=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> unacceptable. We will need to ensure that the drive =
trains of=20
our workshop=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> bikes are solid, even if this means more work for =
Ghanaian=20
mechanics, or=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> buying new parts in the bike market!=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> For a long-term solution, we need to consider using =
new bikes=20
for the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> workshops. This should improve durability and cut =
problems=20
with=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> non-compatibility of replacement parts. The cost of =
new=20
bicycles is the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> biggest obstacle.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> The workshops need lots of financial support. This is =
our=20
grassroots=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> outreach, touching farmers, teachers, small business =
owners,=20
health workers,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> rural students. With the bikes they buy from our =
workshops,=20
these villagers=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> can make a living delivering food or water, or spend =
more time=20
tending their=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> farms instead of walking up to 12 miles each way. =
It’s a=20
helping hand for=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> people with the ambition and conviction to take a day =
to study=20
bike repair=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> and invest half the price of bicycle.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> The cost of one workshop is $350. This covers: tools =
for the=20
village=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> repairer(s), 50% subsidies for 20 bikes, and the cost =
of=20
training and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> transportation. Workshop sponsorships are available to =
individuals,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> organizations, companies, churches, and civic =
organizations,=20
for a=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> donation of $350. Won’t you sponsor a workshop =
today?=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 3. Tools Program=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Our partner-donor ITDP (www.itdp.org) arranged an =
initial=20
$1000 order from=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Taiwan toolmakers, extending the credit to our Ghana =
managers,=20
George and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Samson. In July I had the pleasure of introducing the =
tools in=20
neighboring=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> countries of Togo and Benin. Its always fun to watch =
the faces=20
of curious=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> mechanics light up when they discover that, with the =
right=20
tools, they can=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> easily and safely repair rear wheels or replace =
cranks. I=20
would love to take=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> several months on my own to tour West Africa by bike, =
taking=20
tools around;=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> it is enormously gratifying work.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> The use of these tools has eased shortages of rear =
wheels and=20
cranks in=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Ghana’s capital Accra over the last two years. =
Simply put,=20
more of Ghana’s=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> bikes stay on the road, and fewer end in trash heaps.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> In order to get tools flowing to bike mechanics on a=20
sustainable basis,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> (i.e. affordable without subsidies), we have to get =
volumes=20
up. With larger=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> orders shipping and clearing become a smaller part of =
the=20
total cost. Most=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> mechanics outside of Accra still don’t know =
about these tools.=20
With=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> donations of $1000 a year, we could gradually expand =
the reach=20
of the tools=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> throughout at least six neighboring countries within =
three=20
years.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Thanks for keeping up with Village Bicycle Project. =
Please=20
help us make our=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> fourth year our most successful yet.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Thank you all for your interest and support.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Best wishes,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> David Peckham=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Project totals through November 29, 2002=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 2,049 bikes sent to Ghana, in 5 shipments=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 27 workshops held=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 338 discounted bikes distributed=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> 424 repair trainees=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> $3,900 bicycle repair tools test-marketed=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Workshop sponsors village=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Tri-State Distributors, Moscow ID Adaklu June 2002=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Moscow Rotary Club Abura July 2002=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Moscow Food Co-op Liati Nov. 25,26 2002=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> Friends of Gabon upcoming=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>_____________________________________________________=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>List services made available by First Step Internet,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>http://www.fsr.net=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com=20
<DIV></DIV>
=
<DIV></DIV>=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=
=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=
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<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV></DIV><BR clear=3Dall>
<HR>
Help STOP SPAM with <A href=3D"http://g.msn.com/8HMFEN/2016">the new =
MSN 8=20
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_____________________________________________________ List services =
made=20
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Palouse since=20
1994. http://www.fsr.net mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com=20
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