In 2010, two donors – Liberty Wines and a private family – bought 40 bikes for a group of vulnerable women in Patongo, northern Uganda. These relatively inexpensive bikes are nevertheless tickets to greater freedom and better lives for the women, who work together in income-generating activities. In particular, the bikes have drastically helped women transport firewood; without the bikes, the women have to walk between 5-8 miles to collect wood.
Other important uses for the bikes include:
- Quicker transportation to the hospital, especially important in emergences.
- Increased efficiency and productivity in their fields.
- Help with small businesses, as women can travel far to collect produce for selling.
- Reduced time spent fetching water.
Here is what some of the women told me about how the bikes have changed their lives.
Julia: The bike has given me a great deal of help in my life. It saved my life. I live in a polygamous marriage and my husband abandoned me a few months ago, leaving me with nothing at all, no wealth or possessions and three children to feed and educate. I use my bike to collect firewood from far away, and then sell it in the market.
Kissa: I used my bike to fetch firewood and transport it back to Patongo to sell. It paid for my son's transport to go back to school. My son also uses my bike to go to school.
Sara: The bike saved my child's life. My baby had malaria and was sick. The health centre in Patongo had no treatment and so I had to cycle with my baby on my back to Kalongo hospital 22 miles away. It saved his life.
Elise: The bike saved my child's life. She needed treatment at hospital, and we used bike for transport. She is well now. I also use my bike to collect firewood to earn a living.
Margaret: I am thankful for the bike as I manage to collect building material from far away for my new house.
Jane: I used to have to walk to fetch water. I could only do this once a day because I have difficulty with chest pain, and the walk caused my chest to hurt too much. Now I can cycle more than one trip and collect more water. My health has also improved.
Abbo: I have been able to get to the market far away to buy food to eat for my family and also sell the rest at the local market.
