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News

Bicycle Distribution in Gakomeye 05/03/2012

A new group from a cooperative in Gakomeye (Mareba Sector, Bugesera District) has received new bicycles: After the application for our micro-credit financed bicycle program and the visit and evaluation of Luuk and Marieke Eickmans from Cycling Out of Poverty, our sponsor, the group was admitted to the programme. Now 60 new Eastman-bicycles were distributed to a part of the cooperative after the members paid an initial fee and were trained on the micro credit system as well as bicycle maintainance. They will pay off the remaining amount over the next ten month in order to enable the next group to receive bicycles in the next year.

Energy Saving Stoves for Bugesera 29/09/2011

Our new project deals with the distribution of energy saving cooking stoves and was initiated by the former volunteer Martin. The aim is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and fight the ongoing deforestation - problems that are directly linked. Due to the high population density in the Bugesera District, a big part of the natural forests are already deforested. With the help of energy saving stoves, that consume 70% less firewood compared to the traditional, inefficient 3-stones and emit a lot less smoke, this process can be alleviated or stopped.
In order to address this issue, we are collaborating with co2balance, a british carbon offsetting organization, that balances CO₂-emissions caused by companies and individuals for money. Therefore, in the first week of September, we were executing a Feasibility Study in the sector of Ngeruka (Bugesera District) which consisted of interviews with 45 village dwellers (3-stone stove users) as well as weighing of the daily used wood amount. The work went well and the results showed clearly the necessity of change in wood use.
Now we are planning the "Local Stakeholder Consultation" - a meeting on which all possible impacts, advantages, disadvantages, concerns and reservations will be discussed. Attendees are going to be various NGO representatives on the one hand and local authorities and gouvernment representatives on the other hand as well as potential Energy Saving Stove recipients. The LSC is going to take place in mid-November.

Bicycle distribution in Kanama

On the 27th July we visited Kanama, a sector in the Northwest of Rwanda and distributed 7 new Eastman bicycles. It is our first bicycle distribution in this region. The bicycles were funded by the Dutch pastor Jan Schaardenburgh who lived in Rubavu 20 years ago. The cooperative we founded has 20 members who want to participate in our micro credit project. They need the bicycle to transport milk and other agricultural goods to the trading center. A mechanic and the German volunteer Martin were assembling the parts in the village. Everything went smooth and the beneficiaries were happy to receive their new means of transport.

Gakenke -- Workshop and Seminar 11/07/2011

Last Thursday we hold a seminar with our bicycle group in Gakenke. In the workshop participants were taught to deal with minor defects like flat tires or malfunctioning brakes. Maintenance, e.g. proper chain oiling, has also been a matter of the meeting. Afterwards we summarized again all the advantages that have its source in the bicycle and talked about problems related to the bicycle. The major problem is the rapid wear of parts like the chain and the lack of spare parts in the remote area of Gakenke. We plan to supplement our project with a small side project that guarantees the access to all spare parts.

Ngeruka -- bicycle distribution 12/06/2011

On the 11th June 2011 we proudly gave out the next 18 Eastman bicycles for the patiently waiting members of our cooperative. The new round was exclusively financed by the pay backs from past beneficiaries. The bicycle parts were assembled in the trading center of Ruhuha and then transported by the members to the village of Ngeruka where we had a small ceremony. Each one costs 60.000 RWF which is about 100$ and contains a light and a lock. [Read more]