HOPE, LOSS, AND BICYCLES IN ZAMBIA: NBC NEWS
World Bicycle Relief had the unique opportunity to host a film crew from NBC News recently at our Zambian headquarters in Lusaka. Correspondent John Larson and photographer Lisa Berglund spent several days with us, visiting our assembly operation and experiencing a distribution in a rural Chibombo village.

Mr. Larson shared his experiences in Zambia via a blog entry published at MSNBC.com. Please visit MSNBC.com to read this very moving story about the impact World Bicycle Relief has on one family. We do not have an air date yet for their story. (Photo courtesy of John Larson, NBC News)
 

HONOR FROM AIDS FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO
In recognition of the international nature of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago has awarded a grant to World Bicycle Relief for Project Zambia. AFC Director Mark Ishaug acknowledged the importance of mobility, and said, "It is the authenticity and passion of World Bicycle Relief that excites us." World Bicycle Relief is honored to be one of only eight recipients of an AFC Global Initiative grant, made possible through private grantmaking efforts of the Foundation.

The award was presented at an exclusive event in the Waldorf Room at the landmark Chicago Hilton in October. This event marked the kickoff to the AFC's annual World of Chocolate celebration marking World AIDS Day on December 1.
 

WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF FEATURED IN GIVING
Bill Clinton's actions in his post-presidential years have had an enormous impact on the lives of millions. Through his Foundation and his leadership of the Clinton Global Initiative, he has become an international spokesperson and model for the power of giving.

His book, Giving, is a call to action, an inspiring look at how each of us can change the world. World Bicycle Relief is one of the featured projects and organizations, specifically pointing out the success of Project Tsunami and the work we're doing in Africa. As Clinton says, "We all have the capacity to do great things. My hope is that the people and stories in this book will lift spirits, touch hearts, and demonstrate that citizen activism and service can be a powerful agent of change in the world."
 

VOLUNTEERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT!
World Bicycle Relief relies on the imagination and passion of its volunteers across the country and around the world. And we continue to be amazed at their creative talents that lead to successful fundraisers!

In Chicago, poet and cyclist Raúl Niño spent the summer spreading the message of World Bicycle Relief on his reading tour of Chicago libraries, in support of his chapbook A Book of Mornings. Along the way, he found time to bring together poets from MARCH/Abrazo Press, musicians, friends, family and the public for a wonderful night of poetry and music at Chicago's historic Heartland Café in early October. Heartland also generously donated its wall space to display Leah's amazing photography throughout the month, generating even more interest. Thanks to Raúl's tireless work, we raised enough contributions to send several bicycles to Zambia! Learn more about Raúl's book here.

And next week is the Star in the East Jazz Christmas Celebration, featuring award-winning vocalist Alexis Cole. This concert in New York is a benefit for World Bicycle Relief, and Alexis has done a tremendous job preparing for and publicizing it, along with help from other volunteers. Her plan is to record the event this year, and release a benefit CD of the music just in time for the holidays next year! If you're in New York next Wednesday, December 11: Sweet Rhythm, 88 7th Ave. S, NY, 8 and 9:30 p.m. The concert poster is available here.
 

OUR TEAM IN ZAMBIA
 Update from the field  |  by Dave Neiswander, Africa Project Manager

From the many aspects of life and work here in Lusaka, I'd like to highlight my fellow World Bicycle Relief staff members here in Zambia with whom I'm privileged to work. It is inspiring to witness the passion they bring to the efforts to help their fellow Zambians.

Emmanuel, Abson, Dave and Baldwin make a great team!

World  Bicycle Relief  makes a concerted effort to be a lean and efficient operation. That enables us to effectively convert contributed dollars into the optimum delivery of bicycles. Given that core tenet, we've kept staffing and operational overhead to a minimum here in Zambia,  and effectively leverage off the infrastructure of our partner program RAPIDS, which includes hundreds of staff and volunteers. For us, this means wearing many hats as we go about building a comprehensive bicycle program: assembling and delivering 23,000 bicycles and training over 400 field mechanics!

Abson Kafiswe (second from left) is the Bicycle Project Manager for RAPIDS and the linchpin in making our operations run smoothly. His work ethic and dedication are remarkable. Abson comes from the private sector and brings with him great experience and "for-profit" attitude. Attending almost every distribution ceremony of bicycles, across the country, he provides an inspiring speech to the recipient caregivers. But it is his behind-the-scenes logistical skills that keep assembly humming, determines the distribution schedule and keeps RAPIDS partners well-informed. We joke that he should plan to run for political office given his constant touring of Zambia and impassioned stump speeches. With his many appearances on local TV and his seemingly unending contacts around the country, he would likely garner many votes!

Baldwin Banda (far right and below) is our Chief Mechanic and oversees bicycle assembly and technical training for field mechanics. When Abson met Baldwin at a roadside bicycle repair shop, he recognized his mechanical savvy and communication skills. Combined with his good humor, Baldwin does a fantastic job working with the assembly team to ensure quality throughout the process as well as having the patience to properly teach our field mechanics. Baldwin takes a personal interest in the field mechanics and stays in contact with them long after the training. Seeing his technical drawings to configure the racks in our delivery truck and observing his ability to learn the Hindi language to more effectively communicate with our suppliers, confirmed to me his "Renaissance Man" status. I'm pretty sure he's smarter than the rest of us combined.

Emmanuel Malunga (left) came to us as a recommendation from Africare, and he instructs business skills training for our field mechanics. When I first heard him teach a class, I was blown away. A preacher by trade, Emmanuel takes what could be a dry, dull 2-day session and enlivens it with evangelical fervor. His lectures on capitalism and entrepreneurship truly engage the field mechanics to the point of laughter and often cheering. The feedback from the mechanics has been fantastic: it would have been one thing to just teach them the technical aspects of servicing and maintaining a bicycle, but having the business skills portion really inspires them to go out and either improve their current business or take up the bicycle mechanic business as their new livelihood. Originally, we hired Emmanuel for just one session, but with his skills and enthusiasm, we've engaged him for the long term!

This core lineup has so far helped deliver more than 8,000 bicycles and train more than 240 field mechanics. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I'm excited to be associated with such a strong team!

To see an example of our work in action, follow this link for a YouTube video of our November 13 distribution in Gwembe District, Southern Province!
 

WOMEN'S AFRICA TRIP
 by Leah Missbach Day

This October I was privileged to be part of a Women's trip to Africa hosted by World Vision and The International AIDS Trust.

 

This diverse group consisted of a doctor twice over, a public health expert, two designers, a rancher, two students of religion, philanthropists, an African fine crafts dealer, a trauma counselor

Rwandan caregivers share their stories

and a magician.  We focused on Women mobilizing Women in Rwanda, Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. In all countries and in all situations we were warmly welcomed. This trip allowed us to see first-hand a huge variety of possibilities in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic when women get behind women.

 

Mrs. Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda, found time on her husband's 50th birthday to meet with us and share stories about her country's goals to transcend the HIV/AIDS crisis while still recovering from genocide

One of the many income-generating projects initiated by Mrs. Kagame, the first Lady of Rwanda, with her Protection and Care for Families against HIV/AIDS

trauma. She leads by training hundreds of women in a basket

weaving trade and dozens of handicapped women in an embroidery business. Our time at the Genocide Museum produced more questions than answers. 

 

Site visits included conversations with volunteer caregivers who also participate in a micro-finance program. This helps them take care of three to five children folded into their already large families that may or (more likely) may not have a contributing father in the family. We also visited a mentorship program where young men are learning a welding trade.  

 

In Zambia

Makers and shoppers of Chikumbuso's hand-bags, crocheted from recycled grocery bags

we shared tea with Mrs. Mwanawasa, the First Lady of Zambia, and learned about her leadership in addressing roles and responsibilities of married couples to prevent or deal with existing HIV/AIDS. 

 

Her passion lies in empowering widows and youth involved in her community initiative. Site visits included conversations with women who are standing up to say "No" to abusive behavior from their partners, a very bold stance in any culture.

 

We saw caregivers riding their bicycles and met with their

Michelle shakes hands with Ms. Nalia, a farmer in Zambia who said "no" to her husband

patients. We met a group of women who are empowered to raise up their lives by learning to crochet marvelous bags out of recycled plastic shopping bags. 

 

We heard from four young women on the threshold between high school and college. One of them dropped out due to early pregnancy and immediately felt the value of education lost. She re-enrolled as soon as childcare was stabilized. College is expensive for the many that are economically challenged. 

 

From left to right: Margaret Blessing would like to be a nurse; Chilete Mukabe is planning to become a soldier; Clara, a single mom, wishes to build a career as a journalist and Luanga a teacher ... if they are provided the opportunity to attend college

One day soon we hope to partner with World Vision in developing a scholarship package to send these girls, and other ambitious contributors to a greater society, to school … riding a bicycle.
 

GIVE A BICYCLE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
This holiday season marks three years of World Bicycle Relief making a powerful impact in disaster and poverty relief. We couldn't do it without support from people like you. We're nearing the halfway point of Project Zambia, and we need your help to complete our mission.

What better way to share the holiday spirit than to buy gifts of empowerment, education and hope for the people you love? Just $109 purchases a bicycle in their name to support Project Zambia, providing all of this and more. The 23,000 bicycles granted in this program will mean lasting change, in a country where one in five children are orphaned and one in 11 people live with HIV/AIDS.

Also available is a limited-edition set of holiday cards featuring photos by Leah Missbach Day. Just $20 buys a set of 20 cards with images of those who benefit from Project Zambia, and a portion of the proceeds goes toward meeting our fundraising goal.

Please visit our web site today to contribute or purchase cards. "May the holidays fill your spirit for many miles to come!"

December 11: Star in the East: A Christmas Celebration jazz concert,
New York

January 12: Bike Swap and Wisconsin Cycling Association Banquet, Madison

Hosting a World Bicycle Relief event? Please let us know! 

FK addresses the packed house, emphasizing the importance of mobility to the caregivers who receive bikes.   

Leah's photography adorned the walls of the Heartland throughout October, and set the perfect ambiance for the evening. 

Leah told the story associated with each photograph, helping create a personal connection for the audience.
  

An opening-day forum attracted folks from all parts of the industry to learn about humanitarian efforts under way.



World Bicycle Relief President F.K. Day and Bicycling Magazine Editor Steve Madden (BikeTown Africa) answered questions from the attendees long after the forum was over.



The groups shared a booth on the main show floor, which included an autograph signing with mountain biking legends Ned Overend and Hans Rey, and Olympic hopeful and friend of World Bicycle Relief Jeremiah Bishop!

For more about the forum, including an interview with Tom Ritchey of Project Rwanda and Hans Rey of Wheels 4 Life, visit Bicycling.com.