New bicycles are helping students in rural Sierra Leone spend less time travelling to school, more time studying and less money on transport.

Over three consecutive weeks, from late September to mid-October, our partners at Village Bicycle Project (VBP) distributed 360 bicycles across Bo and Tonkolili districts in Sierra Leone.

The bikes went to 300 students who walk up to eight miles to school, alongside 60 teachers, farmers and community health workers. Of the 360 bicycles distributed, 273 were provided through the Schools for Salone programme, with the remainder supplied through VBP’s regular one-day workshops and bicycle libraries.

For students travelling long distances along rough roads, a bicycle can make a real difference. Journeys that once took 30 or 40 minutes can now take as little as 10 or 20 minutes, giving students more time to study, attend extra classes and arrive at school on time.

More time for learning

A new bicycle library

VBP has also established a new 20-bike library at Bo Amadiyah Secondary School. Students who live far from school will be able to borrow a bike for their journey, helping reduce long commutes and support school attendance.

Through our partnership with VBP and Schools for Salone, unwanted bikes donated in the UK are helping provide reliable, affordable transport and create more opportunities for communities across Sierra Leone.

Thank you to everyone who donates a bike and helps make this possible.