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December 12, 2005

Funding complete on Project Tsunami: Deliveries slowed due to increased violence

by F. K. Day

Numerous studies show that educating girls improves the overall economic health of a developing country, promotes healthier and smaller families, decreases the spread of HIV, and fosters democracy.

"I used to be a fisherman. But I lost everthing including my boat in the tsunami. I couldn't work. Now that I have a bicycle I can sell fish and coconuts. I am doing all of my work on the bicycle."

"I am a midwife. I look after 450 pregnant woman and then visit every house with children in the village, about 3,000 people. I travel by bus and foot. Receiving a bicycle will help me tremendously. Currently I can visit about 10 houses per day. With the bicycle I can probably double that."

Photos by: Leah Missbach Day

Eighteen months after the December 2004 tsunami, Sri-Lankans continue to rebuild their lives and communities. With your help, we have provided them with the tool of mobility to assist in areas of healthcare, education, and economic development. With your help, we have completed our goal of raising $1,516,000 to purchase more than 24,000 bicycles in support of major relief programs on the ground. Word on the street is that the bikes are holding up well and aiding Sri-Lankans efforts in all areas of life.


On the difficult side, there is increased violence in the northern and eastern areas of of Sri-Lanka. We have completed delivery to all districts, but travel (and therefore distribution) has become unreliable and dangerous in the remaining two districts of Jaffna and Mullaitivu. Here is where we stand:


Jaffna: 4,250 bikes committed; 2,500 bikes delivered to date; 1,750 bikes remaining to deliver.


Mullaitivu: 2,397 bikes committed; 720 bikes delivered to date; 1,677 bikes remaining to deliver.


On the delivery side, our partner, World Vision Lanka, is working closely and diligently with the government to ensure the bikes reach their selected recipients. The going is slow, and there are many times we’ll have a truck turn back due to safety threats.


On the supply side, our partner, Lumala Bicycles, has completed the bicycle build and is standing by to deliver the bikes whenever they get the green light that says it is safe to roll.


We pray for diplomacy to prevail and peace to be restored. If this does not occur and we are unable to safely deliver the bicycles to the remaining two districts, we will re-evaluate the plan with World Vision Lanka and chart a new course.


Congratulations to all for outstanding commitment to the people of Sri-Lanka. Due to the success of this program, we are scaling up our program and are now delivering bikes in support of healthcare workers in Zambia, Africa. Please read "Project Zambia" for more details.


The Power of Bicycles™