B4h Blog

Looking for ideas

2009-03-13T06:31:00.001-07:00

Spring is the main time chapters chapters collect and ship containers of bicycles to Africa. Chapters everywhere are doing an incredible job raising the monies, bikes always seem to come out of the woodwork, but this year it is getting harder to find partners To match our chapters with in country shipping funds. Once the container reaches a port in Africa, it is then hauled by truck to it's final destination. These costs can sometimes equal the cost of getting the container to Africa from North America.

As the Bicycles for Humanity movement grows, this problem will grow unless we find a creative way to solve in country shipping and support in Africa. We are looking at many models and ideas and if anyone has an idea, we are all ears, please let me know.

Thanks

Pat

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

2009-01-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

Bicycles for Humanity is a movement that empowers many in Africa with the simple gift of mobility. I am also a huge Steve Jobs and Apple fan and have been for over 25 years and will always be. I faithfully read every day, every word written about Steve Jobs and Apple and I always will. Like everyone, I pray that Steve has a quick recovery and and is with us for a long time to come.

I'm writing to share with you how Steve has impacted Bicycles for Humanity and how we believe that Apple and it's team have learned the same lesson. On our home page, you will see a link to the speech Steve made at Stanford. Do what you love, stay hungry, stay foolish and don't get bogged by dogma and other people's dreams.

Bicycles for Humanity, has no organization, it has no budget, is not a registered non profit and it simply keeps growing globally and it always will. Our movement like the team in Apple are unlocked, enthusiastic, energized and all are moving towards the lofty goals or aspirations that Steve has set. Apple is not one Steve jobs, but hundreds and hundreds of Steve Jobs, all with their own unique style, skill set and passions and all simply believe in what is possible.

All to often, we think it is one individual, one leader who has it all, who can move mountains and if that person is not at the help, it's over, the end is near and they will never attain the greatness again. To understand Steve and Apple, one only has to read, listen to or watch his speech from Stanford, one cannot connect the dots looking forward only backwards. As a small voice, not even in the tech space, but in the simple space of helping others through the gift of mobility a bicycle can bring, I have had that rare chance to watch what Steve believes so passionately.

Steve gave us the answer at Stanford, I have read it a hundred times and I suggest that everyone who talks about Apple, Steve and the team at Apple read this simple yet powerful speech. Apple has made the transition from an old school company driven by a few to a new age company driven by thousands who like i simply believe that what Steve stands for is something we should all aspire to and our organizations if we are lucky enough.

I wish Steve all the best, today , tomorrow and forever. Apple is so much more than Steve, it's a thousand Steve's all with their own special skills and style, but the core belief is in everyone. Bicycles for Humanity is just a movement, it is simply a global group that believe and aspire to be the best we can be and we do it because we love it. If it was not for Steve Jobs Stanford speech and what he believes, we would never have seen the light. if we see it and we are just sending bicycles to Africa, how many others see it, inside Apple, my guess is thousands and thousands and if we thought Apple was ahead of the pack now, I can't wait to see what happens next.

Steve, thank you for being you, you inspire millions of us and we wish you and your family all the best.

Pat

From all within the Bicycles for Humanity Movement, Thank You

2009-01-17T05:59:00.001-08:00

In life, it is so rare to be able to see an idea take root, grow and flourish that helps literally thousands and thousands of people every day. To all who have supported Bicycles for Humanity and the people of Namibia with the gift of mobility, everyone within the B4H movement thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Bicycle Empowerment Centres, BEC's are now in place across much of Namibia with many more being added this year. In total over 12 containers of bicycles were delivered in 2008 and in 2009 our hope is that this number will double. In addition to Namibia our dream is to build a Bicycle Empowerment Network in Uganda and from there to other countries in desperate need of mobility.

Bicycles for Humanity is an entrepreneurial, grassroots driven model with accountability and humanity as the foundation. It is not a non profit, it has no staff or overhead of any kind and it never ever will, yet it just keeps growing. It is simply an efficient model of caring, entrepreneurial minded people here and in Africa working together. In today's connected Web 2.0 world, individuals and communities can come together globally to work as a team to help solve the problems caused by a lack of mobility.

What Inspires You is simply what Bicycles for Humanity is about and inspiration in action, inspires others. A donated bicycle or helmet, a volunteer helping load a container, teaching students about the need for mobility in Africa, sharing stories with others to help others , visiting BEC programs in Namibia or just dreaming of what is possible all contribute to the movement and to helping those in need tell their story.

We encourage you to visit our site, www.bicycles-for-humanity.org , we encourage you to tell others of the movement here and in Africa and if you know groups in Africa in need of the gift of mobility, we encourage you to start a Bicycles for Humanity Chapter and support those communities.

We have one focus, mobility through the use of a bike.
We have one objective, to help the people of Africa help themselves.
We believe that all of us working together can make a difference.

From all within the global Bicycles for Humanity Movement, we thank you.

Humanity Rocks

Where do we go from here

2008-11-30T08:25:00.001-08:00

3 years ago when we sent our first container of bikes to Namibia, Michael and I had no idea what would happen or where it would go. Since then, many groups or chapters have organized and together with BEN, Bicycles Empowerment Network have helped many communities in Namibia with the gift of mobility and the hope for a better life.

Bicycles for Humanity, in a short time has become a global movement with chapters everywhere supporting the incredible efforts of Michael and his team in Namibia. Mobility is a problem that impacts all in Africa and in many countries globally. Being a part of this program initially was exciting and but recently, it has become haunting. The past year,I have been receiving emails from many groups in Africa wanting access to bicycles and to become a part of Bicycles for Humanity. My response to all was the same, sorry, not at this time, we are only focusing on Namibia, you have to go without, we cannot help you, and the response back was always the same, thank you, please do not forget us, hopefully in the future you can help us.

At first, I accepted this, I was the one who wrote the emails and the more I said no, the more miserable I became and the more I distanced myself from Bicycles for Humanity. Then, I remembered we are a movement and all can do whatever they want and it got me to thinking. If we could make it work in Namibia, than why not develop a template that will allow many in different countries to help themselves. We had created a template that did work and we could keep it going, while reinventing ourselves to help many more in other countries.

As a movement, we have strong teams in place to support Namibia and with all we have done, It is simply time to build a model that hopefully others globally can help themselves with help from Bicycles for Humanity. I have struggled with what to do and have decided that building a template to help all who need access to mobility is something that is needed.
Humanity Rocks

Pat

Update October 16

2008-10-16T05:05:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update on some of the things going on within B4H. The last few months, I have been observing and watching and not pushing anyone. B4H is a movement and as such it needs to find it's own path and direction in life. What I learned in the few months away, is that there is an incredibly talented and enthusiastic team of people everywhere and so much good going on that it is simply, mind blowing and so wonderful.

Bicycles for Humanity direction.

Steve Klassen in Thunderbay , has been moving towards us organizing a board to give B4H direction and to begin to address, what is important to all. Steve will be asking for anyone who wants to be a part of this new steering committee. So far, Steve, Steve Jennings, Michael Linke and I have come forward to volunteer, but it is open to all. Please contact Steve Klassen if you are interested.

Uganda

I learned a lot about teamwork here and how important it is to be a team player. I pushed us entering Uganda and and it was wrong and the plug has been pulled on trying to move B4h to Uganda this year. In the future, if all agree, we may enter other countries, but for now we are supporting Namibia where there is so much to do and where Michael and his team have done an incredible job. It is the skill set Michael and his team that will help us find a direction on where to expand in Africa, and that will come in time, but for this year and next, we are supporting Namibia and we will let the new steering committee decide where to go next.

At the chapter level, there is so much going on, hope I don't miss anything. I'll start from current and work backwards.

Ottawa

Seb and the team have just completed a container and Seb, Sandra and their husbands are off to Namibia. Last week the CBC interviewed Seb and Sandra and Seb just told me, the CBC team from Sough Africa is coming up to do a special on B4H and the work of Michael and BEN.

Colorado

Josh and the team from Colorado just returned from Namibia. Got a brief update from Michael, sounds like it was a terrific trip, Josh, keen to see pictures and to hear more about the trip.

Saskatchewan

Al called last night and asked if I could come to a fundraising dinner in Saskatoon on the 26th of this month. I would have loved to, but I'm in the Utah, on a bit of a holiday. I will participate by phone, but what the team there has done, well, mind blowing and it shows the power of B4H in a community. it looks like they have 2 containers ready to go and their special evening, dinner, bring a bike has sold over 500 tickets. Al, Cliff, Dee, Dee, can't wait to get to Saskatoon and meet everyone.

Whistler

The container that left in the spring is now in Tsumeb, Kelly, when you get pictures, please update the site.

Guelph

Guelph is getting close, down to raising a few more dollars and it is ready to go.

The takes us to whole new worlds

2008-05-15T11:28:00.001-07:00

Many organizations especially Registered Non Profits have a centralized structure of management and control, I think this is primarily due to the fact they have stringent reporting procedures related to tax receipting and accountability back to government. These model tends to keep process and control central and creativity on the edge or out all together. Bicycles for Humanity, is not an NGO, Non Government Organization, it works closely with NGO's for tax receipting , but it is a movement , a collective group scattered across the globe who simply believe that a bicycle can make a difference. There is really no infrastructure or management in the middle, only a website and a group of caring volunteers, the odd email from me and a lot of minds thinking about where this is going. As such, we are light, free and there is a totally creative flow from all in the movement and not from just the top. As a movement the incredible people who step forward and join the B4H family are free to take it in whatever direction they feel makes sense to tell the story, build their teams and raise the funds needed. B4H gives all a portal to share knowledge, tell that story and help partner communities here with communities in Africa. It might sound simply, it might look like we are disorganized, but the effect on Humanity and the value created for helping others, all I can say is wow, wow, wow, the creative energy and incredible talent that is unleashed for the betterment of all is simply mind blowing.

Last week, I received an email from Matt in Australia who is establishing a B4H chapter there. To tell the story, he had his 5 year old daughter draw images of what she thought we did and he then animated it so that it could be uploaded to YouTube and other video sites, to be able to be passed around or move virally as they say in the Web 2.0 world. In all my years in business and in being a part of B4H, I have never seen anything that more clearly tells the story of what we do and why we do it. It blew me away as it has many who have seen it. It's a bit large to sent to a large group, but it is available on our website, www.bicycles-for-humanity.org top right under Updates, Animation by a 5 year old.

Sometimes the task of telling the story seems hard, we a all wonder if anyone gets what we do, or why we do it or if any one cares at all. Then a 5 year old tells the story through her eyes and wow, wow, wow. If we were a centralized NGO in Canada this story would never have been told, but as a movement the energy flow to Australia touched Matt and his daughter, giving us the best visual yet of what we collectively all are doing in the B4H family globally.

Hope you enjoy the animation,

Humanity Rocks

Pat

Through the eyes of a 5 year old

2008-05-14T06:39:00.001-07:00

As a movement one never knows what will happen next and what people do, simply blows me away. I think that not knowing is the most fun of all and opening email every day is a special treat. yesterday, I received an email from Matt in Australia. his daughter had drawn some pictures of what we do and he developed them into an animation. That animation is available under updates, have a look, it is simply outstanding. We sometimes make it very difficult to explain to others what we do and how it works and the benefits of a program. Simple is better and this animation says it all.

That Special Feeling

2008-05-06T22:47:00.001-07:00

It's been 2 weeks since I last wrote anything on our blog, but a lot has happened in that time. Colorado sent their first container to Namibia The grade 5 class of Scott Slater, last week collected a container of bikes, loaded them and with the help of Norco delivered an incredible amount of spare parts to Namibia in addition to bikes. This week, Kelowna and whistler will load containers. It's funny, but for me every day is an adventure and I would not trade one minute of the journey for anything. I am simply blown away by the spirit and energy of hundreds within the B4H family and every day, I'm inspired more and humbled by what so many do. Seb in Ottawa and her team with new partnerships, Steve and the team in Thunder Bay and their efforts with students, Tom, north of Edmonton taking on an incredible challenge in a rural area and making a go of it. I can go on and on, but the character of an organization is defined by it's people and what they believe and their enthusiasm to help others a world away in Namibia and soon Uganda.

Being grassroots has it's issue's , but they are small in comparison to the energies and enthusiasm that is released by people who care and care for others. Not being a registered non profit, we sometimes struggle for finding partners to help with tax receipting, but this only makes us stronger and leads to further creativity and partnering for the good of all. I'm not sure what we are, maybe a movement, certainly a caring global group who is focused on helping many in Africa. Whatever it is, it is magic and it is infectious and it sure keeps me going to try harder.

At times it is very emotional and touch to keep going, but when I see what so many have done, and are doing, I'm simply blown away and in awe. Maybe I'm old, maybe I'm rambling on and a bit crazy, but there is a feeling one gets when one is around something special and I thought I would just take a moment and thank everyone for all they have done and for giving us all a chance to feel something special.

April 12 Update

2008-04-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

It's spring again and time to get your bicycles out and start riding again. Here in Whistler, it will still be a few weeks, the snow is still deep on the ground in the valley, but we like many across North America are thinking bicycles. Bicycles for Humanity teams are organizing, collecting, loading and sending bikes everywhere. Being a grassroots movement, we encourage teams and individuals to have fun and in their own special way make a difference not only in their community, but in a partner community in Africa. Bicycles for Humanity teams are organizing and growing everywhere and it is sometimes hard to know all that is going on. Collections tend to be in the spring or the fall. This update lists some of the spring activities and I'll try to get them in the order that they are happening. Hopefully if you live in one of the areas where we have chapters, you can help or send this to your friends in that region. Many of the other chapters send BEC's, Bicycle Empowerment Centres last fall and are organizing to do so again.

Here is a brief update, there is more information on the website under the chapter link

Colorado, Josh and the team in Denver have collected all the bikes and next weekend they will be loading the container. Josh can be reached at joshpace@sbcglobal.net or 415.717.2771

Vancouver, Scott and the students of Ridgeview School in North Vancouver will be collecting and loading a BEC, May 2/3. For more details, please contact Scott Slater at sslater@sd45.bc.ca or 604 981 1234 ext. 2911.

Whistler, Kelly and the team have a container half full. Pemberton Rotary, next weekend and the weekend after will be collecting bikes. In Whistler, the collection is May 10th in Function Junction. For more details, please contact Kelly at, bignesskdm@hotmail.com

Kelowna, this is the community where B4H started and it is a delight to see Keith and the team there organizing a collection for May 10th, Keith can be reached at, Kgermaine@okanagan.bc.ca

Thunder Bay, Steve and the Thunder Bay team have just loaded a container and it will be on it's way to Namibia shortly. Steve can be contacted at, sklassen@mac.com

Many more B4H teams are organizing for later this spring and in the fall. Being a part of a B4H team is fun, not only are you making a difference in Africa, but also in your own community and it is a great way to meet new people in your community. For more information on B4H chapters in other regions, please visit the B4H website or contact the following people

Ottawa, Seb, seb.oran@sympatico.ca
Toronto, Suzanne, smanvell@royallepage.ca
Cambridge, Brenda or Bob, bburch1@rogers.com
Guelph, Matt, sitka_44@hotmail.com
London, Annette, amaren623@rogers.com
Brampton, Terry, terry_owen@rogers.com
Regina, Jay, jayblackmore@gmail.com
Calgary, Walter, Walter.Rudolph@huskyenergy.ca
Edmonton, Tom, tom@bicycles-for-humanity.org
Vernon, Julie, juliemelan@hotmail.com
Santa Rosa, California, Dave, dave@santarosapt.com
Manchester, UK, David, ddarch@globalnet.co.uk

Thanks again to all that support the Bicycles for Humanity movement. if you are interested in getting involved please feel free to contact any of the B4H team for more information, to help out, donate or possibly start a chapter in your community. Nor sure who to contact, hopefully, I can help, I'm at pat@bicycles-for-humanity.org. For the projects we support in Namibia and to find out more about our grassroots movement, you can contact Michael at michael@benbikes.org.za

2 years ago, Bicycles for Humanity was one chapter, today, there are 16 chapters and another 10 in the early stages fo organizing. We are grassroots, we always will be, we link communities here and in Africa to help solve problems related to mobility for rural healthcare workers and women. We have no overhead and infrastructure other than our website and premium products to assist with fundraising efforts, prints, pins, shirts etc. The energies and the incredible skill sets within the B4H family is our strength and through the efforts of many mentoring new groups, teams sharing ideas, and friends of B4H reaching out and telling others, well, it just seems to keep growing and a lot of good flows everywhere.

Humanity Rocks

The B4H Team

And the beat goes on

2008-02-29T06:19:00.000-08:00

It's almost March and the B4H team is once again gearing up and getting ready to send bicycles and soccer gear to Africa. The team has grown a lot with new chapters in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, London and Guelph having joined in the last few months and a number more just establishing new grassroots teams. Our focus this year is Namibia. Last year we sent 9 containers or BEC's, Bicycle Empowerment Centres to Namibia and the results of added mobility are being felt across the entire country. With the 10-15 more BEC's this year, we will have established a program that will hopefully become a model that all African countries will follow in the future.

Grassroots Aids Action groups are vital in the fight against Aids and we support many of them in Namibia and we will continue to do so. On our website you will see under updates links to a number of articles related to the outstanding work Mary Beth Gallagher does with children in Namibia. With children here playing soccer, they get new equipment almost every year and soccer clubs and leagues have been very generous in sending us soccer gear and with container costs based on volume, and with there being a lot of room in a container of bikes we have been adding soccer gear and children's books to the shipments. Bicyles empower people with mobility and by being able to visit more people to educate, deliver drugs and care for those that are dying. Soccer unites people and once united especially youth, it's a great way to begin the education process, this Youtube video says it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyplef2Hi6Y

Bicycles for Humanity is grassroots and it will always be. The teams that come together in communities across now 4 countries are partnered with communities in Namibia and then through their own creativity, drive and passion organize fundraising efforts and collect the 400 bikes that make up a full BEC. We call these groups chapters and each team does it in their own special way and many of the team members will follow the container and visit the communities they are supporting. Chapters are forming now almost on a weekly basis and chapters that sent BEC's last year are mentoring and coaching new chapters in how to fund raise, collect bikes, get the message out, and most importantly have fun doing it. Many smaller communities or groups do not have the market or the reach to form a Chapter and this year we are initiative a new team concept within B4H called Clubs. These clubs will generally be in or near the cities where chapters have formed and they might take on collecting a smaller number of bikes and the funds to ship or just help with fundraising. They might collect soccer gear or children's books working closely with the chapters in their area to co-ordinate activities with the container loading. Civic Clubs like Rotary, Lions and faith based service groups, like the Knights of Columbus are some examples that have members that might want to help out. Some Clubs will become chapters over time, but the idea is to allow more to share in the fun of true empowerment. If you are interested in being a club or a chapter, you can gain more information by contacting us through our info@bicycles-for-humanity.org or through any of our chapter heads.

The actions of one individual and the efforts of teams of grassroots volunteers can and have made a difference. Being a part of a movement and sharing and knowing who you are helping and why is very rewarding and exciting and allows you to interact in communities both at home and globally in new and interesting ways.

Thanks
Humanity Rocks

The B4H team

From the B4H family, All the best in 2008

2008-01-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

Firstly, all the best to everyone in 2008, for the global B4H family it has started out at full speed. The article in the Globe and Mail sure caught the interest of many across Canada and the States and I think struck a nerve with many. As a result, groups in Halifax, Toronto, London, North Bay, Kingston, Calgary and Regina are organizing and hopefully creating B4H chapters in Canada. In the States, Chicago and San Francisco are looking to join Colorado, Boston and Hartford. It is a very, very busy time and we are trying to develop a getting started manual that we will be sending out to anyone interested in starting a chapter.

Thanks again, all the best in 2008
Humanity Rocks
Pat

Seasons Greeting from the B4H Team

2007-12-24T05:59:00.000-08:00

On behalf of all of the Bicycles for Humanity family globally, we
wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy
Hanukkah and all the best for 2008. 2007 was an amazing year,
containers were sent to Namibia from Thunder Bay, Brampton, Cambridge,
Ottawa and Manchester, UK. During 2007 new B4H Chapters were
organized in Denver, Guelph, Edmonton, Boston and Melbourne Australia.

Michael Linke and the team at BEN, Bicycle Empowerment Network did an
incredible job organizing and distributing the containers or BEC's,
Bicycle Empowerment Centres to many communities in Namibia and the
impact on Aids education, drug delivery and hospice care meant that
the average care giver could visit and help 4 to 5 times as many
people.

In Uganda, a rural health program in the Community of Kigezi will
receive 2 BEC's this year thanks to the efforts of Joseph Agoada and
the corporate support of MTN, the leading cellular company in Uganda.
Kelly and the team in Whistler are loading a container now to be sent
to Tsumeb where they visited in 2007 and the home of the first
container shipped by the students in Vancouver. This year Scott and
the students of Rockcreek will be organizing another BEC to be sent
to Namibia.

2008 is shaping up to be an exciting year with a lot of
interesting programs. CAA, Catholic Action Aids, www.caa.org.na as
a grassroots organization did more to change the face of fighting
Aids than almost any group globally. In 2007 we provided this
organization with 2 containers of bikes and in 2008 they could
desperately use 10 containers alone for their aids efforts. Early
next year, we will be approaching all Catholic church's, schools and
Knights of Columbus groups across North America to help B4H chapters
and many other terrific bike collection groups in North America
make this happen.

This initiative coupled with the Kigezi initiative in Uganda will
have established a model for rural health care and the value of a
bicycle in bringing about change. If you are interested in helping
out or you know of a group that might be interested in supporting
the efforts of the global, Bicycles for Humanity team, please have
them contact one of our team members in your contact area, listed on
our website.

Thanks again to everyone that helped in 2007 and all the best this
Christmas, Hanukkah season.

Humanity Rocks

The Bicycles for Humanity Team
www.bicycles-for-humanity.org

Wow, what a year

2007-11-05T21:57:00.000-08:00

in one year make a difference in helping fight Aids and Poverty in Africa. Together with Michael Linke and BEN , Bicycle Empowerment Network, we achieved that goal and in so doing created 7 strong and very active B4H Chapters. All who came together, collected the bikes, raised the monies and helped make the world just a bit better should be very proud of their efforts. 2 weeks ago, the last container for this year left from Cambridge, Ontario, making the number for the year 8, with many more in the works for next year.

I'm so proud of all that everyone has accomplished and I hope that everyone stays with the program for next year. Exciting projects are developing in Uganda and it is my wish that things continue to grow in Namibia and in other countries in Africa. For me, well, it's time to take a rest and think about what I want to do and goals for 2008.

I encourage each and every B4H chapter, all involved and the groups in Africa who are putting the bikes to good use to think about their goals and dreams for next year as well. Grassroots is exactly that, no individual or group has the power, no individual or group has the say and no individual or group can make decisions for the other groups. This allows each group the freedom and creativity to do exactly what they want and to support what they feel is important.

Bicycles for Humanity is a vehicle that if it helps get more bikes to those in need no matter who's project it is or where it is in africa, it has served it's purpose

My dream is that Bicycles for Humanity continue to be an enabler and to help get more bikes to Africa to support health care workers, students and families that are in dire need of mobility. Thanks again to all who gave so much, your efforts and the ripple effect of these actions will last forever and it is my dream that all will find their way in 2008 and find projects worthy of your support.

Thanks, Humanity Rocks

Pat

The Ottawa collection was a huge success

2007-10-02T08:25:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday, September 29th, Seb, Sandra and the team in Ottawa held their first bike collection and it was a huge success. All day long bikes trickled in and by 3pm, the container was full, the doors closed and time to celebrate an incredible achievement. Seb, Sandra on behalf of all of us in the Bicycles for Humanity Family globally, we thank you and I know the people of Namibia will be greatly appreciative in a few months.

Pat

Where have all the BEC's gone

2007-09-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

It’s September, the children are back to school and things are picking up again for B4H. Bikes were sent to Namibia, bikes are being collected, fundraising initiatives are underway in many communities and thought I would take a moment and share with everyone some of the things going on.

The Humanity Painting

We are continually getting inquiries about the “Humanity Prints” by Liz Woodside. The original acrylic painting of "Bicycles for Humanity" (40" X 66") was moved August 21 / 2007 from where it was hanging at Kelowna's Rotary Centre for the Arts to the Kelowna Art Gallery, where it will be in a show (August 31 - November 11 2007) displaying work of artist who teach art classes at the gallery. Liz Woodside has been teaching water colour and calligraphy classes there for the past 3 years.

Ottawa

This Friday, September 14th in Ottawa, Seb, Sandra and the team are organizing a Humanity Rocks Concert, please pass this email on to all of your friends in the Ottawa area, it will be a terrific event and all monies go towards sending the Ottawa BEC to Namibia, details can be found at http://www.bicycles-for-humanity.org/Ottawa/HR_Benefit_Concert.php

Cambridge

Bob, Bronwyn and the team in Cambridge have done a terrific job pulling together a B4H team and the collection of bikes will be at Southwood School, October 19th and 20th.

Whistler

The container has arrived, fundraising is underway and all is underway for a mid October collection. Kelly and the team have done an outstanding job, fundraising is never easy, but they like Bob, Seb and all the other members of the B4H family are having fun, being very creative and making it happen

Thunder Bay and St Bartholomews

Earlier this year, Steve and the great team in Thunder Bay and Rev. Maureen, Terry and the team at St Barts collected 5 containers of bikes. They have been shipped, many have arrived in Namibia and Michael and the team at BEN have been working long hours to organize and move the BEC’s to their homes.

Namibia

I received an email from Michael this morning and it got me thinking. Everyone here in North America and the UK are working hard to raise the funds, collect the bikes and get them moving to Namibia. Michael and Clarisse are expecting their first child this month and with all that is going on, they continue to train and move bikes to their new homes to help many in communities across Namibia. The small acts of kindness shown by all in every community here will have a long lasting impact on many globally.

A brief run down of what has happened and is happening.

The first BEC’s shipped were delivered to Windhoek and the village of Okathitu in Northern Namibia, run by Anglican HIV/AIDS home based care group.

The BEC collected by Scott, Phil and the students of Rockcreek and Rockridge Schools was delivered to the town of Tsumeb, run by TOV, orphan and vulnerable children support group. The Whistler BEC is going to the same community. Kelly and 10 members of our community visited Tsumeb in may of this year.

The Thunder Bay first BEC is in Windhoek, where Michael and BEN are trying to fund two projects to get them to Katima Mulilo and one to get them to HIV/AIDS home based care volunteers with the Mapilelo project.

St Barts BEC 1: in Windhoek. To be delivered to TKMOAMS a HIV/AIDS home based care organisation with 700 volunteers across 3 northern regions. Small business/project management training starts next week, and mechanic training the week after.

St Barts BEC 2: Arrives Windhoek around 17 Sept. To be delivered to the Disability Economic Empowerment Project (DEEP), a group of people with disabilities who will be providing bikes to volunteers providing bikes to home based care volunteers. Small business/project management training starts next week, and mechanic training the week after.

St Barts BEC 3: Arrives Windhoek around 17 Sept. To be delivered to
Family Hope Sanctuary, a children's support group that builds the
capacity of extended families to care for orphans and vulnerable
children, runs a kindergarten, after school support, food garden and feeding program. Two training programs are currently under way inWindhoek for this group: one in bicycle mechanics and one in small business/project management (stock control, marketing, book keeping etc).

Rotary Bramhall/Woodford (David Dewhurst) will be shipping their
container in November, and it will be delivered to the village of
Okalongo, to be run by volunteers from Catholic Aids Action.

The Cambridge BEC will be loaded later this year and delivered to Lifeline Childline in the town of Ondangwa. This group trains volunteer counsellors who support orphans and adults in coming to terms with the effects of HIV/AIDS, and encourages people to have HIV tests.

The Ottawa BEC will be delivered to House of Love for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Rundu.

I know this is a very long update and I apologize, but I thought I would take a moment and share this with everyone. The efforts of all in every community will forever change the lives of many in Namibia and hopefully soon other African Countries. It’s a simple old bike, but mobility is one of the keys to a better life and to help with healthcare.

Humanity, Rocks

Pat

"A bicycle is the best tool for fighting aids and poverty in Africa"
www.bicycles-for-humanity.org

Sept 9. 2007 Update

2007-09-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hi All

It's been a hectic summer and I'm finally back in Whistler. things are going very well at Bicycles for Humanity. Our grassroots initiative is gaining traction and growing globally. Many people and individuals are very interested, primarily due to the high degree of accountability here and in Africa.

This fall is very busy with Ottawa, Cambridge and Whistler organizing collection in late September and early October. Please support these initiatives.

thanks

Pat

Need help in Kelowna

2007-06-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

Last year, with the help of many of you, we organized and send 3 containers of bikes to Africa. Since that time, Bicycles for Humanity has encouraged and worked with many individuals and groups across Canada start B4H Chapters, partner with communities in Africa and send bikes. Groups are now in place in Vancouver, Thunder Bay, Brampton, Ottawa and Cambridge and many more communities are exploring establishing grassroots groups.

All of this started in Kelowna and we hope that it continues this year. My role in working with groups and the partners in Africa has become a full time job it leaves me no time to organize a bike collection in Kelowna. I'm keen to help, there are a lot of people who want to volunteer and donate bikes, but the responsibility for fundraising and organizing volunteers is more than I can handle right now and I need help. If any individual, group or church is interested in organizing a B4H chapter or in helping raise the funds needed, to send a container, about $7500, please let me know. I cannot manage it on my own this year, with all that is going on. It is my hope that we have a bike collection in Kelowna this summer, but without help and someone to organize and take the lead, it will be hard to make it happen.

Thanks to all who supported it last year, we have $850 already raised towards Kelowna and a further $1500 from Rotary when my home in Whistler is rented this summer, leaving us about $5,000 short and no team in place to push it over the top. if you or anyone you knows feel that this is a use full project in Kelowna, please let me know

Thanks, Humanity Rocks

Pat

Bicycles for Humanity, June 20 Update

2007-06-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

Hello

Well the Humanity Rocks Rotary bike ride from Whister to Ottawa is finally over. It was a very hard ride with a lot of headwinds and rain, but well worth it. Hopefully a few more people know about Bicycles for Humanity and what we as a global team are trying to accomplish. Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who followed the online journal and for their emails of support. I wanted to quit a number of times, but the encouragement and the thought of meeting the terrific teams in Thunder Bay, Brampton, Ottawa and Cambridge kept me going.

To Steve, Seb, Sandra, Maureen, Terry, Bob and Brenda and their volunteer teams, I cannot thank you enough for all you have done organizing and sending bikes from your communities to Africa. Meeting your teams and the spirit and the excitement within them was, Wow, inspiring, thanks to all so much.

The team in Thunder Bay collected 2 BEC's, Bicycle Empowerment Centres, (about 380 bikes per BEC) destined for Namibia and Zambia. St. Bartholomeus in Brampton collected 3 BEC's for Namibia and Ottawa on September 29th will be collecting a BEC for Namibia and Cambridge is in the process of finalizing their plans. In the west we will be organizing a BEC in Vancouver in the fall destined for Uganda.

The impact of empowerment through mobility for health care workers and women is life changing and everyone understand the power of a bicycle. it is our hope that more communities here will partner with African communities to help the people of Africa with their fight against Aids and a better life for their families.

Thanks again to all for the incredible achievements, riding was easy compared to what each and every one of you have done to make the world a better place for all.

Humanity Rocks

Pat

"A bicycle is the best tool for fighting aids and poverty in Africa"
www.bicycles-for-humanity.org

The Bicycle ride across the country is over

2007-06-17T03:19:00.000-07:00

It took 28 days of riding, but I finally made it from Whistler, B.C., to Ottawa, Ontario. This ride was a tough one, a lot of wind and rain, but very satisfying and a great way to meet all the terrific teams who organized and sent bicycles to Africa. All I can say is wow, the team in Thunder Bay are just finishing up collecting 2 containers of bikes and they are having a lot of fun doing it. In a few hours, I will be going to Brampton to meet the incredible team at ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S who organized and collected 3 containers of bikes. Last week in Ottawa and in Cambridge, I met with Seb, Bob and their teams and the excitement is moving. I know, it's just an old bike, why all the excitement, but it is much more than that, it's Grassroots Humanity in action and it's growing. Organizing and collecting bikes here is fun, but when you kcombine the efforts of the teams here with a partner community in Africa and they can communicate with their new partners, and help them directly and together make a difference, well, it takes it all to another dimension. Globally there is a massive outpouring of love and support to help those less fortunate than ourselves and a real excitement to share and care. Yes, it's a bike, but it's more, helping an entire community gain mobility and a chance for a better life and being able to work directly with the members of that community and follow up and travel there, has caught the interest of many and we hope this excitement to help others grows.

Thanks, Humanity Rocks

Pat

Looking forward to Thunder Bay

2007-05-28T20:12:00.001-07:00

I can't wait until Thursday and a chance ot meet with the incredible team in Thunder Bay, who have been collecting, fixing and fundraising to send a BEC to Northern Namibia. Steve and the team there have done an incredible job and I can't wait to get there. I've altered my route and now plan on travelling through Duluth and heading across the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, crossing into Ontarion at Sault. St. Marie.

Steve will be meeting me in Duluth Thursday afternoon and I'll be returning to Duluth on Saturday morning. @ days off the bike, what a treat

pat

Stuck in Stanley, North Dakota

2007-05-28T04:59:00.000-07:00

I've been on the road cycling for 2 weeks now and have had a lot of time to think and reflext on all the terrific work done by the various B4H groups across the country. it's truly inspiring to see what the teams in Thunder Bay and in Brampton at St, Barts church. I know Seb and Sandra in ottawa are having fun and Bob and the group in Cambridge are planning a number of fundraising events.

What is interesting is that each group is adding their own spin on it and all have the same purpose, that of providing mobility for health workers, women and familes in Africa. Together, with tools, parts and training, these BEC's, Bicycle Empowerment Centres are becoming community resources and mobility centres.

Habitat for Humanity builds houses for those that need shelter, Bicycles for Humanity, build mobility centres to help empower people on their path to a better life.

If yu are interested in starting a B4H chapter in your community or in volunteering and helping us spread the word, please let me know. i can be reached at pat@bicycles-for-humanity.org

thanks

Pat

Where do I begin

2007-04-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

Normally I would write about the need for bikes in Africa and how to get more bike there. maybe it's a few glass's of wine, maybe it's relaxing at the end of a hard week, but wow, wow. Grassroots initiatives are hard, but also very rewarding, the buauty of this is, never known, never knowing what is going to happen, what surprises and what people will do.

Well, people are simply amazing and there is no end to the good one individual can do. I am in awe of what Steve and the terrific group of people in Thunder Bay have done in such a short time and the fun they are having. Seb and Sandra in Ottawa are exploring many paths and like Steve, i and many others will find their path and start thier own journey. In Namibia, Michael and Clarisse are starting on a journey together into marriage.

The wow comes from how rich my life has become as a result of meeting all of these terrific people and sharing their journey. Living in Kelowna or Whistler tends to make out lives smaller, but with a global community fo friends that together we share a common interest in humanity and taking small steps to help, well, wow is the only word I can think of.

Humanity does Rock

Pat

We need Help

2007-04-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

The need for bicycles to assist caregivers who are working and supporting those with Aids in Africa is huge. We are trying to send 4 containers to Namibia this year and hopefully develop a template that will scale to other countries and communities globally. We like all small grassroots groups need your help in telling others about what we do. If you believe that a bicycle makes a difference and mobility is important, please add the www.bicycles-for-humanity.org domain under the signature on all of your emails. Thanks, Pat

Spring and time to ride across the country

2007-04-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, the snow is almost gone and it's time to go for a bike ride, a long ride. Whistler, British Columbia to Bar Harbour, Maine. The purpose of this ride is 3 fold, to bring attention ot the need for bicycles in Africa, to visit Rotary clubs and encourage them to get invovled and lastly, to hopefully help raise some funds to help cover the cost of shipping containers to Africa.

Details of the ride can be found at www.bicycles-for-humanity.org behind the like, Whistler Rotary, Humanity Rocks Ride.

Pat

Where do we bring our bikes?

2007-03-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Rode by bike today form Whistler to Pemberton and back. it was a beautiful day, warm weather, the white capped peaks all around and a real joy to be on a bike. When I got home, there were 4 messages from people asking where they can drop their bikes off. The calls came form every corner of Canada and the states. This year many groups are organizing bike collections in their own communities and as yet, we still do not know all the dates.

we do know that Vernon, B.C and Brampton , Ontario are scheduled for May, as are collections in Manchester, UK. ThunderBay , Ontario is June and Kelowna B.C. is planning on a fall collection. Vancouver Island, Ottawa and San Antonio Texas are just beginning ot think about collections and no dates are set as of yet.

What is interesting and exciting are the number of people coming forward and wanting to organize and send containers of bikes to Africa. If you are interested in organizing a conrtainer, help out or join our team, please email, pat@bicycles-for-humanity.org

Thanks

pat

Spring is just around the corner

2007-03-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

For those of us living in the north, the snow is beginning to melt and many of us are pulling the old bikes out and getting ready to ride again. This year we are hoping to send 5 containers of bikes or BEC's to Namibia and one to Uganda this summer. Many communities are organizing bike collections and we at Bicycles for Humanity are doing all we can do support these groups. Organizing a BEC is fun for those involved here and very rewarding, knowing that each and every old bike will help greatly in Africa. We are encouraging groups, clubs, schools and individuals to get invovled, organize and send bikes ot Africa.

This year, B4H will provide every group interested on organizing a BEC, with all the posters, cards and limited edition prints they will need for ther fundraisinfg efforts, more at www.bicycles-for-humanity.org.

In addition, for those containers of bikes destined to support Aids workers and empowering women, B4H will donate $1000 towards your efforts. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me at, pat@bicycles-for-humanity.org

Thanks

Pat

Where do we go from here

2007-02-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

For the past week, I've been pedaling a bicycle from San Antonio, Texas to Florida. I'm writing this from St. Francisville, Louisiana. Pedaling a bike every day for 10 hours allows a person a lot of itme to think and ponder life. Last year was busy, this year it's shaping up to be busier for B4H. The model of a community here organizing a BEC and adapting a community in Africa is taking hold and there are so many incridible things happenning. thunderbay just sent a large number of bikes to Rownda with medical suppliers and is planning a container to Zambia. A group in Brampton is doing the ground work in preperation for sending a BEC. We're busy planning a BEC to be sent form the kelowna/Vernon area and another one form Vancouver.

thunderbay has adapted the B4H model and established thier own B4H group. We're delighted that they have done this and we encourage other communities, civic clubs, schools and church's to do the same. Once the idea takes route in a community it's amazing to see how it unfolds and what a community is capable of. I'm biking along , answering email at night in total amazement and awe at what is taing place. In 4 communities can do it, a hundred can and a hundred transportation centres in Africa will, simply change the way things are done and forever it will be different and better.

What is really exciting is to see how a community comes together, hs a focus and each in their own way acting and making the dream come true. Humanity does rock and watching all these small grassroots groups take action, well, it's simply delightful.

Wow a New Year

2007-02-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

The past month has been very hectic, new web site, a lot of great ideas being discussed and trying to make plans for this year on where to send bikes. The model of sending a container of bikes along with tools and spare parts has turned out to be something that everyone understands and it simply just makes sense.

On the website we have identified 5 projects, 4 in Namibia and one in Uganda that are in desperate need of a BEC. In anyone would like to partner with one of these programs or participate with others, please let us know.

Secondly, the terrific people of ThunderBay, Ontario have decided to start their own Bicycles for Humanity chapter or group and in 2 short weeks will be sending bikes to Rowanda along with medicaal supplies, more on this behind the ThunderBay link.

What is really exciting is that schools, clubs and communities globally are getting invovled and sending bikes to Africa. Groups are forming with Rotary being a key partner in London, England, Sydney Australia and other communities are entertaining setting up initiatives.

This year, it is our goal to send at least 6 BEC's to Africa and we need help on all fronts, if you are interested in helping out or starting an initiative in your community, please let us know. If you know of anyone who migfht be interested in helping or in need of bikes, please forward the link to our website to them.

Thanks

Pat

Planning for next year

2006-12-13T14:29:00.000-08:00

2006 was very exciting for many reasons and we are now beginning to plan for 2007. This year we had many groups, schools and bike clubs want to help out. In 2007 we are moving towards tying the groups here with partner groups in Africa. We have strong partners in Namibia and the need there is very large. Our goal is to try and send 5 BEC's there next year.

2006-12-10T09:14:00.000-08:00

Introduction:

Hi, my name is Pat Montani and I thank you for taking the time to visit the Bicycles for Humanity website. Bicycles for Humanity is a very grassroots organization and is growing in many wild and wonderful ways. Initially we planned on sending one container of bicycles to Africa from communities in central British Columbia this year, but it quickly became 4 containers and hundreds of people having fun, pitching in and knowing that they have helped bring our world just a bit closer together.

Almost everyone has ridden a bike, all understand their value and the freedom they first experienced riding a bike. To millions in Africa who walk for water, medical help or to go to school a bicycle is empowering and the first mode of transportation on their journey from poverty to a better life.

I know many of you have an old bike in the garage or the basement and have hated for years to throw it in the dump or sell it for next to nothing at a garage sale. These bikes all have happy stories associated with them and for the first time, many have found that passing the bike on is a way of extending to others the hopes, dreams and aspirations we all had through our experiances.

If you are lucky enough to work at a bike collection, you will be simply amazed by the stories and the right of passage as the bike is handed in and on it's way to a new home.

Looking back, all I can say is WOW, what a year! As one of the Friends of Bicycles for Humanity along with many others we hope you join in and become a part of helping those less fortunate.

On our home page you will see a painting donated by Liz Woodside entitled "Humanity". From this cards, posters and Limited Edition prints have been created and we distribute them to anyone who wants to help fund raise to support any bike related initiative. Juli Masi and a group of talented musicians wrote and produced a song, "Humanity Rocks" and this is also available free to anyone who wants it.

The grass roots support has been simply unbelievable and we receive calls every day form many globally who want to help out and get involved. This year we are developing the Humanity Rocks Initiative, the idea is to provide individuals, groups, schools and whoever with the templates, tools and marketing pieces to help them in whatever way they want to be a part of this grassroots movement.

The Spotlight and the Upcoming Events will give you an idea of the fun and good that has been created. Thanks to all who have supported us and we welcome all to join. Humanity does Rock!