Thank you for being part of our small circle of supporters that believe in our cause and understand the importance of providing individuals tools of personal empowerment to our friends in developing nations around the world. Many of our supporters have been interested in our cause since the very beginning in 1991 and rooting for us along the way. Whether through financial support, volunteering, or simply mentioning our cause to someone looking to donate a bike, your support goes a tremendously long way. It nurtures our incredible network of people who care for others less fortunate.
As we wrap up our fall collection season, I’ve been reflecting on the history of Pedals for Progress and the time it took to build such a wonderful network of support that spans the entire nation. Pedals for Progress was already five years underway when I was born! Over 30 years later we continue to grow and continue our commitment to our founding goals of providing people with reliable transportation to fuel economic stability in communities around the world.
This reflection comes with the success of our fall collection season. We collected enough bikes to make three shipments this fall (the third ready to be loaded very shortly) with fall collections averaging over 80 bikes per collection. I sincerely thank everyone that made this possible, from our donors to volunteers and sponsors, to our warehouse crew, we had an extremely productive collection season.
The fact that we can revisit some of our regular communities year after year and continue to retrieve bikes from behind sheds or sewing machines stowed away in basements speaks to the size of our network. Through this work, we continued to supply our oldest partners in Guatemala while also breaking new ground with programs in Albania. Sewing Peace has been thriving making several shipments of pallets worth of sewing machines to Uganda and Tanzania.
Achieving these goals depends on the collective effort we put into this endeavor. The bikes and sewing machines are out there; it’s simply up to us to organize ourselves to find them. We are not alone, so we can do exactly that. In my mind, Pedals for Progress has always been an organization of regular folks that want to do good. It’s a small-town organization with small town support, an idea that every American can understand. We have been able to come together to support people we have never met and lend a helping hand through a simple tool easily found in our own back yard.
I’d like to thank everyone again who came out to support this fall collection season. Don’t go too far, we will be collecting again come spring and your contribution can make an immediate difference. It can mean a reliable bike for a student to reach school, a sewing machine for a budding entrepreneur, or a lifeline for a family struggling to make ends meet. Your generosity fuels progress, and your belief in our cause keeps us moving forward.
The Pedals for Progress Mission: To empower sustainable economic development by recycling bicycles and sewing machines from the US and shipping them to motivated people in the developing world.
Our goal is to make bicycles available in areas of the world where they did not exist or are in very short supply. In order to accomplish this goal we have to find overseas partners capable of distributing our bicycles effectively. When you bring a commodity into a marketplace, capitalism is the most effective method of distribution. Yes, we sell or our partners sell every bike sent overseas. Just because you sell something doesn’t mean you have to charge a lot. But the act of selling brings order to the act of distribution. It also brings the funds that help pay to ship the bikes overseas and run the distribution facility. Lastly human nature: people take much better care of things that they pay for.
Our partner overseas needs a storefront, some mechanics, an accountant, sales people, and a manager. By selling our bikes at low cost they can still manage to employ those people and help pay shipping costs. Getting two shipments of bikes per year means that there is always work for the mechanics who need to be available for repairs down the road.
Jana on her way home from school. Photo by her mom, Kristina
There is no way to individually choose who should get a bike and who shouldn’t. That is accomplished through the marketplace. It could be that the poorest of the poor might not make the best use of a bicycle. My focus has always been on working adults and children needing to go to school. In a container of bikes there are usually no two bikes alike. Consumers want to choose among the bicycles because they need the right size, color, type of bike. There is also a great difference in the quality of the bicycles. The most expensive bikes we ship can be sold at higher cost to the working middle class so those funds can be used to subsidize the lesser quality bikes that the poor can afford. Every worker mobilized increases the productivity of society and a rising economic tide does raise all boats.
Pedals for Progress is cash poor, item rich. Unfortunately, we have never been excellent at raising funds, but we excel in raising in-kind value. We collect hundreds of thousands of dollars of sewing machines and bicycles every year and transfer that wealth to the poorest countries of the world. Bikes and sewing machines generate income. So not only have we enriched our customers with the value of the items but each of those items will go on to create more revenue.
Pedals for Progress will enter its 34th year in February. We have survived the economy going up and down, the great recession, the pandemic, and the retirement of the founder. With the brilliant energetic young new leadership of Alan Schultz as President, I am confident that the organization will continue to deliver hundreds of thousands of dollars of material aid overseas annually.
[Editor’s Note: This year we were able to continue to supply P4P Belize with their third container of bikes, an exciting chapter as this shows the new program is finding its stride as a revolving fund program. Belize no.3 was sent on June 3, 2023 that included 428 bikes 20 Sewing machines! Here is an open letter from our friend and partner Derrick Pitts, CEO and Founder of God Cares Outreach.]
Dear Pedals for Progress Team,
I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of everyone at God Cares Outreach (P4P Belize), I want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication in sending containers of bicycles. Your generosity has had a profound impact on our organization and the communities we serve.
Derrick Pitts, CEO and Founder of God Cares Outreach
Through your continuous contributions, we have been able to establish and maintain sustainable platforms that have become the cornerstone of our operations. Your donations have enabled us to launch vital programs such as our feeding program, after-school initiatives, mobile medical services, and various humanitarian efforts. These programs have not only transformed lives but have also helped to create a brighter and more promising future for countless individuals.
Your support has also extended beyond the immediate impact of these programs. It has provided us with the financial freedom to expand our team, hiring dedicated individuals who are passionate about implementing and managing our ongoing initiatives. This growth wouldn’t have been possible without your partnership and belief in our mission.
Every bicycle you send represents more than just a mode of transportation; it symbolizes empowerment, opportunity, and hope. Your commitment to our cause has ignited a chain reaction of positive change that resonates far beyond the immediate beneficiaries. Your compassion has truly made a difference in the lives of many.
As we continue our journey, we are deeply honored to have Pedals for Progress by our side, supporting us every step of the way. Your contributions are a testament to the incredible impact that a collaborative spirit and a shared vision can achieve.
Once again, thank you for your continuous support, generosity, and belief in our mission. We look forward to a future filled with more accomplishments, growth, and positive change, all made possible by partners like you.
[Editor’s note: This fall on October 21st 2023, we sent our first shipment to a new program, Absolute Bike Tirana, marking our 18th shipment to the region. Absolute Bike Tirana is a charitable minded bike shop founded by Valjon Pacani and Ervin Sulovari in 2019. I had the pleasure to meet Ervin when I visited Albania in August 2021, where he had spent over fifteen years with our previous partner, Ecovolis. Collaborating with Absolute Bikes Tirana was a no brainer when Valjon reached out about his new endeavor earlier this year.
Beyond the friendly faces, Absolute Bike is a more traditional bike shop, similar to how our partners FIDESMA operate in Guatemala. A brick-and-mortar bike shop has the capacity to make a lot of progress in an area. Having a physical storefront to supply bikes to the community creates a home base for cyclists and everyday commuters. By providing Absolute Bike with a wide range of bicycles, they can sell affordable bikes to individuals in lower income levels and name brand or specialty bikes to those who can afford them around the large city. This is a key P4P pillar as it eases our goal of establishing economic stability with an emphasis on sustainability for years to come. Absolute Bike will receive a range of quality items, enabling them to employ people in their bike shops, supply community members with affordable, environmentally friendly transportation, and also provide themselves with funding for their charitable causes and programs.
We are extremely pleased to resume shipping to Albania after a brief pause. Eastern Europe and the Balkans are under exacerbated economic strain due to world events and increased inflation. We are proud to be able to contribute tools of personal empowerment to the region giving a helping hand to folks in need.
Here is some more background information about Absolute Bike, their youthful energy, and what they aim to achieve.]
History of Absolute Bike Tirana
Absolute Bike Tirana is a program that aims to contribute sustainably to community development. It was established in 2019 by the leader Valjon Pacani and his collaborator Ervin Sulovari, after a 15-year experience in various organizations where they received awards and recognition for their maximum contributions to various social and environmental issues. The main mission is engagement and dedication to this decision-making, working in partnership with people to build a sustainable, healthy, and active community. Its goal is to provide our city with clean air by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. It is a symbol of hope and also a means to preserve nature, from which our city can benefit.
Absolute Bike Tirana, Aim and Objectives
Absolute Bike Tirana aims to raise awareness and assist the needs of residents seeking access to transportation. It is an effort to increase social, ecological, and economic responsibility. Absolute Bike Tirana aims to promote eco-friendly transportation through bicycles, providing our city with cleaner air and adopting a civil and European practice. We believe in community-based programs, where the Foundation collaborates with local people to improve lives. By keeping the programs small and manageable, we monitor expenses in detail and ensure that funds are focused on priority needs.
Absolute Bike Tirana aims to address the transportation needs of rural and urban communities, enhancing societal awareness, responsibility, and environmental concerns. Specifically, Absolute Bike Tirana’s mission is to establish a community-based and community-supported economically sustainable model that provides quality consumer-oriented transportation services, catering to both urban and rural residents.
In the urban context, bike lanes can offer numerous benefits to the community. More and more cities are seeking ways to reduce overpopulation while also improving the environment, turning to bicycles. This means that vehicles and pedestrians won’t have to speculate on how cyclists will navigate roads or sidewalks. Absolute Bike Tirana’s bicycles provide access from the city’s outskirts to the urban center for those at risk of social and economic isolation.
Key Success Factors / Strengths:
The initiative heavily relies on volunteers, strengthening the community aspect of Absolute Bike Tirana.
It also employs financially disadvantaged individuals, contributing to social inclusion and economic support.
Activities Developed so Far
Students with their Student Cards
In 2021, Absolute Bike Tirana collaborated with the Municipality of Tirana and the National Youth Agency to create a partnership and became part of the Student Card initiative. The goal of the Student Card is to ease the economic burden on students in relation to their high expenses. For every individual who enjoys student status and is equipped with a student card, they receive a 10% discount on all the services offered by Absolute Bike Tirana. Our focus is on students, who inspire us every day with their participation in our store. The trust they have in us motivates us to continuously strive for even better things.
Happy 10-year-old with his new bike
During the “Donate a Bike” campaign in collaboration with the Municipality of Tirana, we had the opportunity to donate a bicycle to a very positive 10-year-old boy who was suffering from a severe illness called hemiparesis, affecting the left side of his body. The bicycle was the only thing that kept him moving and helped him in his fight. Due to financial constraints, he couldn’t afford to buy one. Absolute Bike Tirana, along with its volunteers, made the donation of the bicycle possible, making him happier and giving us hope and motivation for many other cases.
Berti getting his bike
During the “Donate a Bike” campaign, Absolute Bike Tirana continued its mission by joining the initiative to show solidarity with more citizens. The individual we chose to assist was an exemplary citizen around 60 years old. Berti used to cycle over 10 kilometers every day to get to work. The house where he lived was in a peripheral area with no public transportation. Alongside our volunteer Ervin, we engaged and selected a comfortable bicycle suitable for his age, making his work easier and bringing a smile to his face.
Osmani getting a bike
During the “Donate a Bike” campaign, the citizen we chose to continue our initiative with was Osmani, a 20-year-old young man who was very well-educated. Osmani was continuing his studies, but difficult economic conditions forced him to work in his free time at a supermarket as a shelf organizer. His family was not in good health and economic circumstances to provide for the needs a child of his age proved to be difficult. Osmani tearfully told us the story of his life and the genetic condition he inherited from his mother, called ‘middle ear,’ making it difficult for him to travel to work as the house was somewhat far away. We listened attentively and did not hesitate to help. We gifted him a comfortable bicycle and also offered free servicing for any repairs the bicycle might need. After a few weeks, Osmani visited our store and seemed very happy. He explained how much we had eased his work and shortened the distance from home to work, but also made his journey to school easier since he commuted by bicycle every day.
Osmani was asking us about how we operate, and his great desire was to join us as a volunteer and contribute to our activities, making other people happy as well. This was certainly our wish too, as we gained a new young activist, motivating us even more for the work we do.
Exploringwithgysi group ready to ride
Absolute Bike Tirana, in collaboration with the youth of the “Exploringwithgysi” association, organized a one-day action where we participated in their adventures towards breathtaking destinations, creating unforgettable memories. We are in love with nature and its beauties, and without a doubt, we chose to be part of this organization by providing 20 bicycles for all the present activists at no cost.
Exploringwithgysi in the mountains
The aim of this activity was to explore “Lake of Bovilla” by visiting the main attractions of rural Tirana. Undoubtedly, the main objective of the Absolute Bike Tirana team and the activists was to raise awareness and participate in a cleaning campaign where people come together and organize for a cleaner and more responsible community.
Anyone who shirks responsibility by polluting, allowing pollution, or not reacting, doesn’t gain but loses! We all have the right to live in a healthy environment, but we must cooperate for this. We showed that we lack neither desire, nor will, nor energy to clean it, to protect it, and to develop our city!
Exploringwithgysi group and cows
Last but not least, here is a one-minute 50-second video of what happened to 3 bikes from Absolute Bike Tirana.
Vector Global Logistics is an international shipping consolidator. They have handled the booking and logistics for our container shipments for over five years. They have long-term contracts with shipping lines that afford us very competitive pricing. They are very supportive of our mission and whenever possible find P4P discounts in the shipping costs.
In October 2021 Vector Global Logistics hosted Dave Schweidenback for an hour-long podcast. Dave talks about his childhood, his Peace Corps experience that inspired P4P, P4P’s early days and explosive growth, and lots more. Here are two versions of the podcast: (1) audio only and (2) audio and video.
Dear Donors, Friends, and Supporters of Pedals for Progress and Sewing Peace,
Receiving this letter, you have supported Pedals for Progress and Sewing Peace in some form and have aided us in providing people in developing countries with access to reliable transportation and economic opportunity. It is always exciting to know that the work we do in small parking lots in New Jersey and the surrounding areas, is all worth it knowing that the items we collect find new homes with people that need a helping hand.
Last fall, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated collection sponsors and the generosity of donors like you, we were able to ship three containers of bikes and sewing machines to Belize, Guatemala, and Togo. The impact of these donations has been truly incredible, from helping to provide economic opportunities to remote villagers to supporting local feeding programs and mobile medical aid distribution centers. Check out our Spring 2023 Newsletter to read more about these programs.
The spring collection season is always a special one. Shaking off the cold weather fills me with energy and motivation to continue our cause and build on the success we have achieved so far. With your support, we can continue to collect bicycles and sewing machines and provide people with the economic aid they need to build better lives for themselves and their families.
Our fundraising goal for this season is $30,000, which will carry us into the fall and allow us to collect and ship hundreds of bikes and sewing machines to communities in need around the world. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference and brings us closer to achieving our goal.
I encourage you to donate today by visiting the Donate page on our website. Your support will help us continue to supply bikes and sewing machines to our range of programs, so that we can continue the positive impact we are having on our neighbors abroad.
Sincerely,
Alan Schultz, President, P4P/SP
Pedals for Progress is a New Jersey 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
P4P Belize has several community outreach programs aimed at aiding people throughout Belize City and other parts of the country. The following pieces are descriptions of these programs that illustrate how P4P Belize goes beyond distributing bicycles in their community.
Employment
The sale of bicycles overseas is crucial to Pedals for Progress and our international program’s success. P4P Belize employs young men as sale associates who help Derrick move the items throughout the city, ensuring they reach the people that need access to transportation.
The sales process involves a range of strategies, from larger street market sales to smaller individual transactions arranged through word of mouth or online advertisements. The sales reps earn a commission on the sale of the bikes, with a recommended starting price set by Derrick. This gives the salesmen incentive to maximize their efforts and help Derrick distribute the hundreds of bikes that we send him.
P4P Belize sales rep selling a bike to a Belize City resident
This employment program gives the young men a steady job, reducing the likelihood of them looking for other ways to make their money on the streets. They also aid Derrick in numerous roles within the organization when there is down time while bike sales are slow. By empowering these young men with employment and valuable skills, we not only contribute to their personal growth but also strengthen the overall impact of our mission in Belize.
Feeding Programs
Food insecurity is an issue on a global scale. No matter the direct cause, when families and individuals struggle to get food, becoming self-sufficient is exceedingly difficult.
P4P Belize has a feeding program that reaches out to families who are unable to provide enough food for their households. P4P Belize identifies these families and helps by providing chickens or pigs, which helps alleviate the burden of securing regular meals. Without the daily stress of finding their next meal, families can focus on other crucial responsibilities and pursue employment opportunities. This, in turn, enables them to save more, improve their financial situation, and create a pathway to a better future.
The food provided through this program is partially funded by bike sales. P4P Belize also makes the time to check back in with these families to ensure that their needs have been met sufficiently. This ongoing engagement helps us build strong relationships and ensures that the program has a lasting impact.
Medical Aid
Prior to partnering with P4P, Derrick acquired buses and an RV from the United States through another charitable organization he has partnered with. Driving them down to Belize himself, Derrick was able to get the vehicles into Belize. From there, he has used them for several projects.
Derrick uses them to transport and distribute medical supplies to community members in need. With the size and mobility of the buses and RV, Derrick ensures that essential healthcare resources reach those who require them most. This initiative plays a crucial role in improving access to medical assistance and addressing healthcare disparities in the region.
While not in use for aid, Derrick rents the buses to visiting programs from the United States to earn a passive income. Income generated by the bus rentals are used to offset programs like the feeding programs and other charitable causes. The concept of offsetting program expenses, which P4P advocates for, was already being implemented by P4P Belize in a different context.
Aguacate, Sewing
Partnering with other outreach organizations, Derrick can access more remote areas of the country rather than strictly focusing on Belize City. Derrick has helped set up a small sewing operation in the remote village of Aguacate with the help of Toledo Outreach Center that frequently helps the small community.
During my visit I was able to be present during the day we donated 20 sewing machines to the villagers and a bicycle to the chief. Kicking off this program we met with the women and expressed out gratitude and detailed what we hope to achieve.
Maria training women in Aguacate, Belize
The women in Aguacate are being trained by a woman named Maria Coe who works with the Outreach Center on sewing projects specifically aimed at educating single women how to sew. Through this training program and using the machines provided we will be able to make a lasting change to how the community can earn more.
Alan and Maria with one of her shirts she sells at markets
Going to and from the small village is done only a few times a week when buses bring community members to the nearby town of Punta Gorda on the coast. It is our hope through the sewing program that once the women are trained, they will be able to make repairs to clothing making trips to town less frequent. It will also give the women opportunities to make their own clothes and other merchandise to sell within the village and in town when they do make the trip.
Prison Sewing
Left to right: Derrick Pitts (P4P Belize), Virgilio Murillo (CEO Kolbe Foundation, Belize Central Prison), Alan Schultz (President, P4P), Thomas Beishke (P4P Volunteer and Warehouseman)
The Fall 2022 newsletter has an article on the P4P Belize Sewing Program in the Belize Central Prison. On January 27th 2023 Derrick and I were able to make the starting donation of 20 sewing machines to fully kick start the program. Through his connections with other charitable organizations, Derrick will be able to provide the prison with a volunteer sewing teacher to lead class sessions. Part of a successful reform for incarcerated people requires a reinvestment in the people that found themselves behind bars. Educational aid gives people in Belize Central Prison a chance to continue to better themselves once they are done serving their time. Educating people within prison, giving them tangible skills, makes it easier for them to become productive citizens once outside the walls. If they can use their specialized skill such as sewing, they have a better chance of finding employment. They then will be far less likely to become repeat offenders. In turn this creates a safer nation with a more vivid economy.
In the spring of 2022, Pedals for Progress embarked on an exciting partnership with P4P Belize, marking our most recent destination in Central America. We have now made three shipments to P4P Belize and feel that the program has found its stride and will be in a comfortable position to continue the revolving fund system we aim to achieve with our partners. Finding partnerships that can maintain consecutive shipments creates sustainable projects that will make a deeper impact in the communities they serve.
To solidify our connection with the new program in Belize, I had the privilege of visiting the country and meeting Derrick Pitts, the CEO and executive director of P4P Belize, also known as God Cares Outreach within the country. I encourage you to read our previous posts on their programs. While I was visiting, I was able to get a better sense of their operation and their remarkable goals.
P4P Belize is a community outreach organization situated in South Side Belize City, focusing on empowering their neighbors and helping them overcome poverty. Located away from the tourist areas in the north, South Side Belize City faces numerous challenges on multiple fronts.
Leading up to my trip, I was doing research of what to expect in Belize and one recurring piece of advice was to avoid South Side Belize City due to higher crime rates resulting from extreme poverty and other factors.
However, South Side Belize City holds a special significance for Derrick, as it is where he grew up and spent most of his life. It is home to him. While I was working on some bikes, cleaning and reassembling them in preparation for sale, Derrick asked me how it felt to be in the most dangerous part of the city. I replied that I felt perfectly safe. Thanks to Derrick’s assistance and hospitality, I was given the opportunity to explore this overlooked area of the country and meet the people who call it home.
Through our revolving fund system, Derrick can recoup the costs of shipping by selling the items that we send him. Going around the city, we visited the local bike shops that sell Chinese-made bicycles that one would typically find in big box stores in the United States. Brand new bicycles in these shops sell for $200 to $500 in Belize. There are also high-end stores where bikes from brands like Specialized, Giant, Trek, and others are sold for $1,000 to $5,000. With the bikes we send, Derrick can comfortably compete with these stores, offering the community quality bikes for less.
The impact of this partnership is significant. By offering affordable and reliable transportation options, we are not only improving the lives of individuals but also creating economic development in communities like South Side Belize City. Together, we are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for those who need it most.
P4P Belize has several community outreach programs aimed at aiding people throughout Belize City and other parts of the country. Part 2 of this report describes these programs and illustrate how P4P Belize goes beyond distributing bicycles in their community.
This spring Alan visited our newest partner, P4P Belize. Here is Part 1 of his report, introducing the director, the organization, and its South Side Belize City neighborhood.
Our partner in Uganda runs training programs in sewing, design, motor mechanics, and other marketable skills for vulnerable members of the community. They held their Eighth Graduation Ceremony on February 11, 2023.
Thank you for being part of our small circle of supporters that believe in our cause and understand the importance of providing individuals tools of personal empowerment to our friends in developing nations around the world. Many of our supporters have been interested in our cause since the very beginning in 1991 and rooting for us along the way. Whether through financial support, volunteering, or simply mentioning our cause to someone looking to donate a bike, your support goes a tremendously long way. It nurtures our incredible network of people who care for others less fortunate.
The fact that we can revisit some of our regular communities year after year and continue to retrieve bikes from behind sheds or sewing machines stowed away in basements speaks to the size of our network. Through this work, we continued to supply our oldest partners in Guatemala while also breaking new ground with programs in Albania. Sewing Peace has been thriving making several shipments of pallets worth of sewing machines to Uganda and Tanzania.
I’d like to thank everyone again who came out to support this fall collection season. Don’t go too far, we will be collecting again come spring and your contribution can make an immediate difference. It can mean a reliable bike for a student to reach school, a sewing machine for a budding entrepreneur, or a lifeline for a family struggling to make ends meet. Your generosity fuels progress, and your belief in our cause keeps us moving forward.
