From: Fundacion Fidesma
Date: November 27, 2024 at 4:49:37 PM EST
To: David Schweidenback
Don David, muchos saludos departe los compañeros de Fidesma.
Ya realizamos la revision de bicicletas y su inventario, y estamos agradecidos por mandarnos las Maquinas de cocer. Gracias por las pelotas, por las llaves, por otros accesorios o repuestos, mas los plwod. que siempre lo necesitamos.
Todo esta muy bien, las Bicicletas estam bonitas, y estamos iniciando las primeras ventas y entregas de bicicletas.
Espermos enviarle mas fotos y las historias de como se utillizan aqui las bicis.
Atentamente,
Margarita Caté de Catú and the entire FIDESMA ECOLOBICI team
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Kevaun Mckesey, a 22-year-old from Belize, is an inspiring young man who has been part of our organization for the past two years. In that time, he has consistently demonstrated determination, honesty, supportiveness, and an unwavering work ethic. In a nation where many young men his age face challenges such as gang involvement, incarceration, or untimely deaths, Kevaun stands out as a beacon of hope and purpose.
Currently, Kevaun oversees the assembly operations for our bicycle sustainability program. His leadership and dedication have propelled our bicycle sales to new heights. Through this program, we are not only able to employ Kevaun but also provide opportunities for others, offering fair wages and sustainable employment.
Recently, we were thrilled to secure a scholarship for Kevaun to pursue his educational goals. Starting in January 2025, he will begin online classes at Carolina University in North Carolina.
We are deeply grateful for Kevaun — not just for his contributions to our organization but for the positive impact he represents for the future of Belize. His story reminds us of the incredible potential that lies within our youth when given the opportunity to thrive.
From: Fundacion Fidesma
Subject: Ya recibimos las bicis en Fidesma
Date: November 22, 2024 at 2:24:13 PM EST
To: David Schweidenback
Hola, Don David, le informamos que ya tenemos las bicicletas en Fidesma, despues de un largo tramite, en la Aduana Guatemala.
Siempre es una experiencia, diferente, cada vez que las recibimos.
De todo tipo de problemas nos presenta el Puerto en Guatemala, dicen que ya no pueden acelerar tramites porque hay mucho BArcos, y muchos contenedores, tambien que nos toco pagar almacenaje porque nos pasamos de los dias permitidos, en el puerto, pagamos mas dinero, y luego que habia dias de asueto en Guatemala, tambien que los dias sabados y domingos no hacen tramites, y asi muchos problemas nos dan ellos.
Muchas gracias David, por las bicis, estan muy bonitas, y gracias por las Maqinas de cocer. Enviaremos fotos de lo que se a hecho aqui,
Atentamente
Margarita CAte
y todo el equipo de compañeros de Fidesma ECOLOBICI.
Chimaltenango, Guatemala.
We’ve finally received the bicycles at Fidesma, after a long process at Guatemalan Customs. Every container is a different adventure.
The port in Guatemala always gives us all sorts of problems. They say they can’t expedite the paperwork because there are too many ships and containers. We also had to pay extra storage fees because we exceeded the allowed days at the port. Then there were holidays in Guatemala, and they don’t process paperwork on Saturdays and Sundays, and so on. They give us many problems.
Thank you very much, David, for the bikes. They are very beautiful, and thank you for the sewing machines as well.
Sincerely, Margarita Caté de Catú and the entire FIDESMA ECOLOBICI team Chimaltenango, Guatemala
We’ve finished checking the bikes and doing the inventory. And thanks so much for sending the sewing machines. We really appreciate the soccer balls, bike tools, spare parts, and especially the plywood — it’s always handy.
Everything looks great. The bikes are beautiful, and we’ve already started selling and delivering them.
We’ll be sure to send you more pictures and tell you all about how the bikes are being used here.
Sincerely, Margarita Caté de Catú and the entire FIDESMA ECOLOBICI team Chimaltenango, Guatemala
I’d like to sincerely thank everyone working behind the scenes with me for making this year—and particularly this fall—a wonderful success in our little world of bikes and sewing machines! Thanks to the very long list of groups and individuals we collaborate with, we have officially shipped our 170,000th bike since our founding in 1991.
While this milestone may not call for a red-carpet rollout, it is a significant and satisfying number that reflects the immense generosity I have felt from all of you this year. This fall alone, our collections averaged 65 bikes per collection, allowing us to make three shipments of bicycles to Guatemala, Belize, and Albania.
Of course, no successful season comes without its challenges. We experienced a few bumps along the way, particularly due to massive shipping delays caused by the five-day longshoreman strike that began on October 1st. Although the strike itself was brief, it set us back weeks in planning and cost us hundreds of dollars, delaying our first fall shipment to Guatemala. The ripple effects of the strike also delayed the arrival of our annual shipment of bikes from Vermont—made possible by FedEx—because the loaded Guatemala container was stuck in our warehouse, accruing costs daily.
The shipping industry experienced widespread disruptions, with weeks of delays and difficulties securing empty containers. Vessel bookings were frequently changed, adding to the uncertainty. While these were overwhelming days, we were able to persevere and navigate through the challenges thanks to our steadfast team and supportive network.
I’d like to extend a special thanks to the Newtown Rotary Club, which stepped up to help us when our storage overflowed with bikes. Due to shipping delays and a series of incredible collections, P4P faced the rare problem of having too many bikes. Thankfully, Jerry and the Newtown Rotary, particularly Alan Fidler, held onto the 150 bikes they collected for an additional three weeks. Those bikes are now officially on their way to Albania.
Beyond these logistical challenges, I’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible domestic support we’ve received this year. Having “too many bikes” is a problem I hope to face every year!
To continue this momentum, we’ve partnered with Marty’s Reliable Cycle, which is now accepting bike donations for us at its five locations across the state. Offering donors the option to drop off bicycles year-round has been a goal of mine. It pains me to turn down a donation in the middle of winter simply because our operations are closed. Thanks to this new partnership, donors can now drop off bicycles at any Marty’s Reliable location year-round.
We ask that donors continue contributing our requested $20 per item to help offset shipping costs. While Marty’s provides the drop-off locations, there are still costs involved, as we must make regular trips to retrieve donated bikes and maintain their storage spaces. Drop boxes at each location will be available for cash or check donations, and receipts will be provided. I’d like to thank Stephen Ellerman and the Morristown Rotary Club for helping us get this partnership underway. I’d also like to express my gratitude to the man behind it all, Jesse Epstein, who has been instrumental in this endeavor, continuing the remarkable legacy of generosity established by his late and great father, Marty.
Internationally, our programs abroad continue to thrive, making significant improvements in the communities they serve. Absolute Bikes in Albania received a container of bicycles from Working Bikes in Chicago earlier this year, meeting their spring demand and tagging us back in for a shipment this fall. FIDESMA in Guatemala received its annual shipment, further cementing a 25-year tradition of collaboration with P4P. Belize accepted its fifth shipment, which is particularly special to me after witnessing their program firsthand. Their efforts to provide homes and sewing machines to single mothers in need are inspiring, all made possible by your donated machines and the funds raised through bicycle sales.
In Africa, we supported an exciting new program with a shipment of 450 bikes destined for rural farmers. These bicycles are expected to significantly improve the daily lives of farmers by providing much-needed transportation.
There’s so much great news from this fall and the year as a whole, which I encourage you to read about in this year’s newsletter. This is always a special time of year for us at P4P. As we close our doors for the winter to prepare for spring collections, we take this opportunity to reflect on and share the incredible achievements made possible by your generosity. We also look ahead to the coming spring, when we’ll once again be ready to accept your donations.
I’m incredibly excited for the next season and hope to see many of you along the way. I encourage you to learn more about the amazing work being done overseas—it’s a powerful reminder of just how transformative a bicycle can be. In the meantime, thank you for your continued support and belief in our cause. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!
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Shipping the volume of bicycles and sewing machines that we deal with requires a network of people and groups around the tri-state area to dig into all the tiny garages and sheds hiding these used items. We benefit greatly from the networks each group has within their towns as they rally their friends and neighbors together in search of bikes and sewing machines one weekend a year. Seeing the small-town interactions blossom in a new place every weekend has become a big reason why I love Pedals for Progress.
For over 30 years, hundreds of people around the tri-state area have encountered and worked with P4P. Some come and go, as evidenced by the 170,000 bikes donated—each representing at least one individual who contributed. But what has been amazing is seeing the long list of legacy groups we continue to work with. In some of the towns we serve, the collection events put on by our sponsors have turned into something of a yearly ritual, akin to a homecoming game, bringing support from all corners of the community.
The Westfield Rotary Club is one of these legacy groups we have partnered with for decades. Since 1997, the Westfield Rotary Club has hosted collections with us every year, generally during the same month at the Westfield BOE building. The club is filled with many long-standing members who have rallied together in support of our cause. Each of their collections feels like a homecoming game of friends and neighbors coming together each fall for the big day.
As with many of our groups, there is usually one key person leading the charge. For the Westfield Rotary Club, that man is undoubtedly Warren Rorden. He has led this tradition since 1997, quietly rallying the club and the people of Westfield to lend a helping hand to people in the developing world.
This year, continuing their legacy, we’d like to extend a special congratulations to the Westfield Rotary Club for collecting their 3,000th bike! Through their tireless efforts, they have provided incredible service to thousands of people all over the world. The club has been an important part of the history of P4P, with their bikes finding new homes in countless countries.
We’d like to thank the club for their many years of support for our cause. A key part of our history books, the Westfield Rotary Club has even been featured in some of our past newsletters, such as when Dave discovered a Jay’s Cycle sticker all the way in Ghana in 2008.
“As we moved across the countryside down to Cape Coast and then back inland to Kumasi, the royal city of the Asanti Kings, we made many stops to visit our bicycles and their new owners. One such encounter was in the town of Asuman Kumansu. To get there, we drove through miles of oil palm groves and coco tree orchards—coco production for chocolate is a major cash crop—and arrived at three houses, where luckily, the owner of one of our bicycles was at home. His bike was an immaculate gray Schwinn. I knew it came through our system because there was a sticker on the seat tube advertising Jay’s Bike Shop in Westfield, New Jersey. As they do every year, the Westfield Rotary Club held a bike collection last September. Did the original owner of this bike ever imagine it would become the major means of transportation for a poor family in the middle of the Asanti highlands of Ghana?
For me this is what Pedals for Progress represents. We are the link between donors in the United States who want to help the poor of the developing world. Seeing the sticker for Jay’s Bike Shop brought that idea home to me loud and clear. Whoever donated that bike with the hope of changing someone’s life for the better did exactly that. And I was looking at the proof.”
Westfield Rotary, Oct 11, 2014
Building on that history, Jay’s Bike Shop continues to be a supporter of P4P, further demonstrating the town’s commitment to the Westfield Rotary Club’s efforts. Jay’s continues to donate bikes, adding another layer of what P4P is all about. The Westfield Rotary Club’s ambition to be a vital part of their community has made them a vital part of the world.
The Westfield Rotary Club’s impact extends far beyond their collections. They have also energized local businesses like Jay’s Bike Shop and raised critical funds to offset the costs of shipping these valuable tools overseas. Within their own community, the club supports numerous initiatives, including scholarships, polio eradication efforts, and YMCA programs.
We are deeply grateful to Warren Rorden and the Westfield Rotary Club for their unwavering support over the past 26 years. Their partnership exemplifies the power of community and the profound difference it can make in the world. As we celebrate their 3,000th bike collection, we look forward to many more years of collaboration and shared success.
“The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.” – Iris Murdoch
At the Kola Nut Producers Association, we identify challenges within our communities and strive to address them. Initially, we recognized a significant issue: the lack of access to transportation for local farmers in Sierra Leone. The distances involved and the poor condition of the roads have made it nearly impossible for farmers to transport their goods. We realized that bicycles could provide a vital solution to this problem.
The Pedals for Progress journey began when we identified a substantial transportation void for local farmers living in Sierra Leone’s most rural areas. Thousands of farmers were situated in hard-to-reach locations. Our national coordinator, Patrick Abu Mansaray, who grew up in rural Dalu Village, Kenema District, has personal experience with these transportation problems.
Recognizing this need, we reached out to Pedals for Progress in the United States for assistance. Their support in providing bicycles to local farmers, children, women, and the community as a whole is helping to bridge the transportation gap and improve livelihoods.
Although 25% of the world’s most arable land is in Sub-Saharan Africa, it produces only 10% of the world’s agricultural outputs (International Fund for Agricultural Development). This gap presents an opportunity to address the needs of millions of people in Sierra Leone who are overlooked by conventional market solutions.
Here are stories about people who are using P4P bikes to improve productivity in their farming or to travel to school more efficiently.
Abi Turay
Abu Turay grows crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, okra, palm oil, and rice. He has been an active member of the Slow Food 10,000 Gardens Project in Africa and has been involved with Slow Food Sierra Leone for over five years. Recently, he received a brand-new tricycle to transport his palm oil to the central market in Kono District.
Abu is thrilled with this new direction in his agricultural business and has expressed his gratitude to Duke Farm and Pedals for Progress for this wonderful gift, which uplifts both his business and family livelihood. “With this, I can now have more money to pay my children’s school fees,” he shared.
The challenges we face are vast, but they ultimately consist of millions of farmers like Abu, each with the potential to improve how they cultivate their land, plant their crops, harvest their goods, store them, and transport them to market.
With Pedals for Progress, a bicycle becomes a valuable asset for trade, employment, transportation, and community engagement. In countries like Sierra Leone, where P4P has established partner programs, the most successful entrepreneurs are those who use bicycles to reach work and deliver their agricultural goods and services where they are needed most. This empowers them to expand their businesses and increase their personal incomes and productivity.
Alieu Sesay
Alieu Sesay is a dedicated Kola Nut farmer and a proud member of the Kola Nut Producers Association. In addition to kola nuts, he also cultivates cocoa and stenophylla coffee, an indigenous species that is on the brink of extinction.
Alieu Sesay
Recently, Alieu was fortunate to benefit from the Pedals for Progress bicycle donation program. He received one of the four cargo tricycles donated by Duke Farms in the United States. These trikes are specifically designed for African terrain, featuring puncture-proof tires and carrier frames that can hold up to 100 kg of goods. Before this, Alieu had to carry 60 kg of kola nuts on his head from his farm in Dalu Village to the market in Kenema, a grueling 12-mile journey that caused significant strain on his neck and back.
In Sierra Leone, many farmers face challenges accessing markets due to high transportation costs, leading to crop spoilage and financial losses. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2022 exacerbated these issues, as farmers like Alieu struggled to access markets for both inputs and selling their produce, severely impacting food security in their communities.
Today, Alieu is grateful for the tricycle, which has transformed his work. “I am very thankful to Duke Farms and Pedals for Progress for this bicycle. It will help me transport and sell my produce more efficiently, allowing me to support my family better.”
The donations from Pedals for Progress are empowering farmers to improve their lives and contribute to the well-being of their communities and the planet.
Mohamed Bockarie
In rural Sierra Leone, every student’s struggle to complete their education is unique. Financial difficulties, early parenthood, familial expectations, distance, and lack of transportation all challenge a student’s ability to attend classes regularly. However, with a reliable bicycle from Pedals for Progress in the United States, students can gain the time, energy, and confidence needed to overcome their individual obstacles and stay on their educational path.
Pedals for Progress is transforming lives in our communities by providing bicycles that help students reach schools and colleges across Sierra Leone. This initiative bridges the transportation gap, enabling pupils to achieve their educational goals.
Seventeen-year-old Mohamed Bockarie is a high-achieving student with a passion for mathematics at the Holy Trinity Secondary School in Kenema. When his single mother had to choose between paying for food and school fees, Mohamed secured a scholarship and received a bicycle, allowing him to continue his education. Now, he dreams of achieving greatness in his academic pursuits.
Mohamed shared how the Pedals for Progress bicycle program has been a wonderful success for many, including himself. He emphasized the benefits of cycling, stating, “Bicycles are awesome for getting exercise, which is crucial, especially when it’s not easy to stay in shape during school. Riding a bike is excellent cardio that improves breathing and heart rate, boosts the immune system, and strengthens muscles. Plus, it even sharpens your brain! Riding helps take my mind off academic stress and anxiety.”
Thank you, Pedals for Progress, for this incredible gift of empowerment. You are making a difference in the lives of students like Mohamed, helping them pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.
Aminata Sesay
My name is Aminata Sesay. I am a member of Slow Food Sierra Leone. I have been a farmer for over eight years, growing cassava, sweet potatoes, okra, rice, and traditional herbs. As a mother of three, I have faced significant challenges, especially after losing my husband to the Ebola virus five years ago.
Many farmers like me face considerable challenges, including limited access to markets, insufficient credit, and poor infrastructure. These issues hinder our productivity and profitability, limiting our ability to contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.
One promising solution to these challenges is the use of bicycles in farming. Bicycles are a sustainable and cheaper alternative to traditional fuel-powered vehicles. They facilitate transportation, reduce costs, and improve access to markets.
On July 23, 2024, I was approached by a team of Slow Food garden coordinators who asked me about the challenges I face in my work. A major problem was the transportation of my produce to the market.
On October 27, 2024, while working on my farm, I received a call from Fatmata Mansary, the head of Slow Food in the Kailahun District. She informed me that Pedals for Progress, a United States organization, had donated a bicycle to our network, and I was one of the beneficiaries. Before this, I had been walking five miles every day to sell my produce at the market. Now, I had received a new tricycle from Duke Farms.
“Thank you, Pedals for Progress, for this amazing gift and support!”
Riding Bikes to School
In the rural communities of Sierra Leone, school isn’t just around the corner; it’s often a considerable distance away for many students attending public schools.
Before receiving a bicycle from Pedals for Progress, getting to school was a daily ordeal for Ibrahim Jajui, Abdul Bangura, David Sesay, and Keliven Dumbuya. Their journey involved long walks under the searing sun, squeezing into overcrowded public transport, or paying for expensive taxi rides. These transportation challenges made accessing education a struggle.
The relentless effort required merely to reach school often left students like Ibrahim, Abdul, David, and Keliven tired and drained before their day even began. However, with the donation of bicycles from Pedals for Progress, their strenuous marathon to class has transformed into a breezy ride.
Now, these students are no longer slaves to the uncertainties of public transport or the exhausting toll of long walks. Their daily commute has shifted from a puzzle of endless variables to a straightforward, manageable journey.
Not only are they saving precious time and energy, but they are also ensuring consistent attendance in school. With each turn of the pedal, each student is asserting their commitment to education and their future.
The bicycle has become more than just a mode of transport; it symbolizes consistency and empowerment. It reinforces a habit and creates an unbroken chain of learning that propels these young minds forward, both physically and academically.
This is why Pedals for Progress stands as a beacon of hope. Each day, as promising students make their way to school, they ride with gratitude. And every time they arrive on time and ready to learn, they carry a profound appreciation for something as simple as a bicycle.
Your contributions are making a world of difference—one bicycle at a time, one student at a time. Each morning, as students mount their bikes and set off for school to the sound of roosters, they ride with gratitude, knowing that their educational journey is made possible by your generous hearts.
Thank you for pedaling along with us. Together, let’s continue this incredible ride toward a brighter future.
My name is Aminata Sesay, and I am a member of Slow Food Sierra Leone. I have been a subsistence organic farmer for over eight years, growing cassava, sweet potatoes, okra, rice, and traditional herbs. I strongly believe in good, clean, and fair agriculture. As a mother of three, I have faced significant challenges, especially after losing my husband to the Ebola virus five years ago.
As the demand for food continues to grow in Sierra Leone, the agricultural sector is becoming increasingly vital for the country’s economic development. However, many smallholder farmers like me face considerable challenges, including limited access to markets, inadequate inputs and credit, and poor infrastructure and transportation systems. These issues hinder the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers, ultimately limiting our ability to contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.
One promising solution to these challenges is the use of bicycles in agriculture. Bicycles are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional fuel-powered vehicles, offering numerous benefits for smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone. They facilitate transportation, reduce costs, and improve access to markets.
On July 23, 2024, I was approached by a team of Slow Food garden coordinators who asked me to share the challenges I face in my agricultural production process. I filled out a questionnaire to express my needs, identifying three key challenges: the transportation of my agricultural products to the market, the lack of seedlings, and the lack of dibbers.
Fatmata Mansary, the head of Slow Food in the Kailahun District, took my questionnaire and promised to follow up with me. On October 27, 2024, while working on my farm, I received a call from Fatmata asking me to meet her at the town wall. To my surprise, she informed me that Pedals for Progress, a United States organization, had donated a bicycle to our network, and I was one of the beneficiaries.
When Fatmata shared the news with a smile, I was overwhelmed with joy and exclaimed, “Thank you, Pedals for Progress, for this amazing gift and support!” Before this, I had been walking five miles every day to sell my produce at the market, which was incredibly challenging. Now, I had received a new tricycle from Duke Farm, outfitted with strong, clean tires.
Fatmata provided the bicycles along with lending guidelines for me and other community members through the Association. This initiative aims to create opportunities for women farmers like me to access markets, schools, and health centers.
Moreover, Fatmata and Ibrahim facilitated community sensitization meetings to educate residents on the importance of the Pedals for Progress bicycle project and to address related socio-economic issues.
The introduction of the Pedals for Progress bicycle project and the accompanying training has been timely and essential in helping our rural communities recover. It has strengthened access to work and education through the power of bicycles.
Donate bicycles and sewing machines to developing countries
