This Lent, you can support teachers who must travel long distances by foot to teach in classrooms ranging from schools, grass huts or simply in the shade of trees.
By fundraising with us – your support will not only provide teachers in South Sudan, Malawi and Kenya with a bicycle to help shorten long journeys to students but will provide farmers the means to bring produce to markets or transport clay for stove production and cottage industries also!
Since 2020, we have supported an environmental project building livelihoods in Malawi, funds raised in the bicycle campaign will help expand the Mbira project to support more marginalised women. The Mbira stove production group is an exciting project focused on women’s empowerment and tackling Malawi’s deforestation problem.
The women’s group was set up in February 2020 by Jesuit Centre for Ecological Development (JCED). Their community is located just outside Kasungu town. The main purpose of the group is to produce energy efficient cooking stoves (using clay soils from nearby) and sell them in the local market. The women have been empowered because of this business model.
The introduction of stove production boosted and diversified their livelihoods, alongside reducing their environmental impact. These stoves differ from the traditional free stone fire in that they concentrate and capture the heat produced by burning wood. Therefore, the stove reduces the amount of wood required, as well as shortening cooking times.
This Lent, you can help support women entrepreneurs by fundraising for bicycles so that transport of clay and deliveries is no longer burdened by long journeys by foot.
Milika is the quality control manager of Mbira stove production, listen to how a bicycle would make a world of difference to the women’s group.
One bicycle costs: €150. We’re hoping that on World Bicycle Day on June 3rd we can give as many bikes as possible to teachers, entrepreneurs and farmers who need a helping hand.
You can get involved in so many ways from sponsored bike journeys or bake sales. So, don’t worry if cycling isn’t for you – There are other ways to get involved and fundraise!
Use the hashtag #OnYerBike – to keep us updated on your fundraising and cycling adventures!
The Bike for Lent Challenge!
For those of you who want to fundraise and set a personal goal, you can register below to keep in touch with updates on the campaign.
As well as funds for bicycles, the campaign also has an exciting challenge of clocking 12,000km by June 3rd World Bicycle Day – the distance it would take by bicycle from Dublin, Ireland to Kasungu, Malawi!
This sponsored cycle challenge can be completed by individuals or groups and by registering we can be in touch with fundraising support.
Register for Bike for Lent