Amit, a 24-year-old woman, takes immense pride in having established her first bike shop in Makeni, Sierra Leone, in September 2023.
Trained in bicycle mechanics by Karim, the Country Director for Village Bicycle Project (VBP) in Sierra Leone, Amit is not only a business owner but also an avid cyclist. For the past nine years, she has been an active member of the Makeni women’s cycling team.
Since opening her bike shop, Amit has been able to provide support for her family. Married with two children, she expresses their happiness and pride in her achievements.
Amit sources her bikes by purchasing 50 at a time from the main bike shop in Lunsar after they receive shipments from Re-Cycle. As a skilled bike mechanic, Amit offers repair services using spare parts provided by Re-Cycle to VBP in each container.
Her bike shop operates six days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm. Amit’s aspirations extend beyond her current shop; she dreams of owning a larger establishment in a better location within the town. Recognising the challenges associated with bike ownership, she offers customers a flexible payment plan. By paying over a month, customers can eventually own their bikes once the balance is settled.
Amit says;
I am trying to inspire women to be like me and know the importance of the bicycle.
I encourage and inspire women and children when they come to my shop by telling them that if they want what I have achieved, they have to work hard and then anything is possible and their dreams can come true.
Amit is one of many inspirational women in Sierra Leone who are leading the way to empower women to achieve their dreams.
Read more about Village Bicycle Project, Re-Cycles partner in Sierra Leone.
