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Bikes for Watoto

Vital Stats

Sarah C

Clayton, MO

people helped470
People Doing It 1

The Problem

My project is focused on providing bikes for watoto (Swahili for children) in Singida, Tanzania. I was lucky enough to meet these children in April on a medical mission, and have been motivated since then to change their lives, rather than just letting them change mine. Having to walk up to several miles to and from school every day uses up a lot of time and energy, which some of these children really do not have to spare. The students are primarily motivated to attend the school to receive a free meal (provided by another organization) -- and yet -- they burn off a lot of what they are eating just to get back home. To have a bike, which is the most common form of transportation in the area, would be extremely beneficial to the health of the children attending the school in Singida.

Plan of Action

My plan of action is to raise money to purchase bicycles for the children. I have kept in contact with an American man who resides in Singida, and will be purchasing and delivering the bikes with the money I raise. I have raised over $500 since December, and am continuing to work to raise enough to buy a bike for every child at the school (around 470 have been logged as either part-time or full-time attendees). I am also going to host a fundraising event to raise awareness to the people in my own community, as well as to raise more money. While this project is strictly carried out by me right now, I am hoping to involve more teens in the planning process of my event.