CHICAGO (BRAIN) — World Bicycle Relief distributed 220 bicycles to students in Eritrea on Tuesday in collaboration Team Africa Rising, the National Eritrean Cycling Federation, the Eritrean Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Ministry of Education and the UNDP.
Funded by the ninth annual 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda, the bicycles will make it easier for students to get to and from school, covering the long distances in a shorter period of time with the goal of increasing attendance and academic performance.
The 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda is an annual fundraising ride in the U.S. that supports education and economic development in Rwanda and other African nations. For the past three years, the 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda has chosen World Bicycle Relief as one of its beneficiaries. Team Africa Rising is also a beneficiary of the ride.
“Our annual 50 Mile Ride fundraising event attracts over 1,000 riders each year. Why? Because participants and sponsors alike believe in the power of bicycles to change lives,” said ride founder Doug Grant.
“World Bicycle Relief is honored to be chosen as a beneficiary by 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda and humbled by the collective efforts of the participants to fundraise on behalf of students in Eritrea,” said Charles Coustan, executive director of World Bicycle Relief. “Thanks to the incredible efforts of participants of the 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda, World Bicycle Relief will deliver 220 rugged, reliable bicycles to students who struggle to get to school every day, often waking before dawn to walk long distances. These bikes will have an immediate, positive impact on students and help them stay in school and improve both attendance and academic performance.”
For more information about World Bicycle Relief, visit the group’s website or Facebook page.
