Cycle to School Programme in Sierra Leone
In May 2024, Re-Cycle Director Charlotte visited one of our partners in Sierra Leone, the Village Bicycle Project (VBP). During her visit, she met students who had received Re-Cycle bicycles, enabling them to travel to school safely and reducing the time they spent commuting. One of these schools was Furlonge Educaid Senior Secondary School in Port Loko, a district in the northwest province of Sierra Leone.
Karim, the VBP Country Director, donated 40 bikes from the last container received from Re-Cycle to the school’s headteacher. Together with the headteacher, Karim conducted a one-day workshop to train students in basic bicycle maintenance skills. This hands-on training ensured that the students could keep their bicycles in good working condition, promoting sustainability and self-reliance. After the workshop, both students and their parents agreed that the bikes would be used for commuting to and from school during term time. Outside of term time, the bicycles are securely stored at the school to ensure their safekeeping.
Karim expressed immense pride in being able to offer these bicycles to students free of charge, supporting their education and allowing them to get to school on two wheels rather than by foot. This change means students can arrive at school on time and return home quicker and safer.
Student Stories
Queenie’s Journey:
Queenie, a 17-year-old student, attends Furlonge Educaid Senior Secondary School in Port Loko. She lives on Watfa Street in Port Loko, a district in the northwest province of Sierra Leone. Identified as one of the students with the longest commute, Queenie was given a bicycle by the headteacher.
Before receiving the bike, her journey to school on foot took her an hour.
Now, with the bicycle, her travel time is reduced to just half an hour. Queenie shared that the bike has significantly lessened her daily fatigue, allowing her to focus better on her studies. She also mentioned that riding her bike to school and back home brings her joy and a sense of freedom.
Abubakarr’s Story:
Abubakarr, a 16-year-old student, also attends Furlonge Educaid Senior Secondary School. His daily walk to school used to take him two hours. With his new bicycle, his journey time has been cut down to 45 minutes.
Abubakarr recounted how, before having a bike, he often arrived at school late and returned home late, which affected his ability to help his family with daily chores. Now, he can arrive at school on time and return home early enough to assist his family. He proudly noted that his academic performance has improved since he started using the bicycle, and his family is happier with his punctuality and improved grades.
Community Impact
Kabiru, the site coordinator for the school, worked closely with Karim, the headteacher, and the students to ensure they could access bicycles from Re-Cycle through the Village Bicycle Project. This initiative has had a profound impact on the community by providing essential transportation that enhances educational opportunities.
The Cycle to School programme is not just about getting students to school; it’s about transforming lives. By reducing travel time and ensuring safety, the programme helps students, particularly girls, attend school regularly, thus bridging the gender gap in education. The presence of trained local mechanics ensures that the bicycles remain in good condition, offering a sustainable solution to transportation challenges.
Expanding the Reach
Re-Cycle and the Village Bicycle Project are committed to expanding this successful initiative. They are actively seeking to partner with more schools in the Port Loko district and other rural areas of Sierra Leone. By doing so, they aim to provide more students with bicycles, enabling them to overcome the barriers of distance and improve their educational outcomes.
This programme showcases the potential of bicycles to create lasting change, promoting not just educational access but also community development and gender equality. By supporting these efforts, donors can help ensure that more students like Queenie and Abubakarr have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals and improve their futures.
