Bicycles Against Poverty (BAP) Project
the problem:
For the last 22 years, the people of Northern Uganda in the districts of Gulu, Kitgum, and Pader have been terrorized by a rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). As the attacks between the armed LRA and the Government of Uganda (GOU) forces intensified in late 1996, the GOU military began encouraging rural people in affected areas to move into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. The main victims of the LRA have been the Acholi people of Northern Uganda. They have been brutally attacked and kidnapped by the rebel group. Thousands of children also have become victims to the war - abducted by the LRA to serve as fighters, porters and, in the case of girls, wives. More than a million Acholi have moved to protected camps. As a result, they have not been able to plant their crops and hunger is widespread. Currently, the LRA is in the Democratic Republic of Congo and southern Sudan, as a result, there have been no attacks in northern Uganda. Majority of the community members presently walk between the IDP camps and their agricultural lands to farm. The time spent by women, men and children traveling to and from their farms is often more time than they spend working their land due to the long distance. The primary means of transport in Gulu district is by foot, as motorized mobility is both scarce and unaffordable to most residents. The situation is made worse by the remote location; people also have to trek long distances to access the very critical social, economic, political and health facilities.
vital stats:
people impacted:
200people involved:
20why it's important:
The residents of the IDP camps are currently dependent on foreign and local aid that is not guaranteed to come every day. Therefore, in order to empower a community whose economic activity has been shattered by the 22 year-long civil war, we are initiating the project known as Bicycles Against Poverty (BAP). The aim of this project is to provide bicycles to families for economic empowerment through a sustainable bicycle program. The BAP project will be using bicycles to encourage group cooperation and to increase accessibility and affordability of bicycles. These will then be used as a means of transport and a tool for economic development for low income families. During the project, we plan to hold capacity building sessions including credit and finance management seminars to educate the participants about how they can use the income earned from the use of bicycles to improve their living standards. We also will train the youth in bicycle repair and maintenance and then provide them with tools to begin their own businesses. Additionally, we will conduct community-building sessions to help unify the area since the community has been traumatized by the civil war.
Why bicycles? A bicycle is perhaps the most valuable asset a low income family in Uganda can own. Bicycles can be used to transport goods to the market for sale, water from wells that are miles away, individuals to hospitals, students to distant schools, and people around the city. Access to bicycles can improve not only individual opportunities, but benefit families since it enables people to maintain kinship ties and improve social networking.
the plan of action:
We are establishing the BAP project as a sustainable project. Much of the start-up costs of acquiring and transporting bicycles to Gulu are expected to be covered by sponsorship from student organizations at Bucknell University, any funds received from the 100 Projects for Peace, and fundraising. The project is initially expected to provide at least 100 bicycles to residents of Gulu district. The targeted communities are selected on the basis of having the lowest living standards and the greatest need to transport their produce and goods to the market. Before participating community members are chosen, they will complete a survey which will help BAP identify their economic status and their need for a bicycle. The chosen families will be responsible for the maintenance of their bicycles. Each family also will agree to make a contribution of 1000 shillings (approximately 50 cents) every month toward a fund that will enable BAP to purchase additional bikes for additional community members. The small membership fee will also act as a motivation for the individuals to put the bicycle to economic use, to plan ahead, cooperate with their neighbors, and to be accountable to BAP. It is hoped this activity will encourage interdependence and trust-building, as well as increased economic activity in the region. As the number of people in this project increases, it will be possible to buy more bicycles. It is the ultimate goal that every family in the district will have at least one bicycle. During the summer of 2009, a small group of Bucknell University students will travel to Uganda to help set up the project and carry out all the intended seminars. These same students, in conjunction with the other members of BAP, will be responsible for further fundraising on campus to help continue the project. The leader of the BAP group, Dick Muyambi, a student at Bucknell University and a Ugandan native, together with the other members of the group, will develop a survey that will be used every summer he returns home to evaluate the progress of the program and its general upkeep.
how you can get involved:
I am hoping that interested students/parents and anyone else can take this idea to their communities and gather a few people and start thinking of fund raising for this project to help it reach other places. The need for transportation is so high.
Alternatively you can donate from your pocket at our website.
project updates:
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