December 20/05 6:41 am - World Bicycle Relief

Posted by Editor on 12/20/05
 

World Bicycle Relief - Project Tsunami: Into the Home Stretch

WBR continues to help tsunami victims move towards independence via the power of the bicycle

World Bicycle Relief is at 70 percent of its $1.475 million goal that will ultimately fund the purchase and delivery of nearly 25,000 bicycles to tsunami victims. There is still great need. World Bicycle Relief (WBR) is a charitable effort, spearheaded by SRAM and Trek Bicycles, where bicycles are provided to the victims of one of the world's greatest natural disasters as a direct means to independence, mobility, and self-reliance.

Giving can be done easily from the WBR website (www.worldbicyclerelief.com). The site has several donation methods including the popular 'Give-a-bike' program, where a bike donation can be made in another's name. Donors can also send contributions directly to SRAM headquarters, c/o World Bicycle Relief, 1333 North Kingsbury, Chicago, IL, 60622.

Empower the individual: The effect of the bicycle on an individual and their family's lives are often dramatic. "Before the tsunami I was a fisherman. I lost everything and I have recently started a small bread business. I travel nearly ten kilometers a day selling my bread and once again I am able to provide for my family. I also take my child to school each day," M.P Nishantha Dias, Kalutura, Sri Lanka.

The WBR program continues to gain momentum and its evolution has been dramatic. "This started as a means to provide mobility and independence through bicycles to tsunami victims. We soon realized that our ultimate global objective has to be educating the United Nations, governments, political figures, as well as other charitable organizations that the bicycle is a powerful intervention as well as an affordable , universal and sustainable vehicle that can complete that 'last leg' of any relief effort who's goal is providing for basic human needs. The bicycle as a tool cannot be overlooked,"
said F.K. Day, WBR's Director and SRAM's V.P. of Product Development.

Continuing efforts to raise funds include Trek Bicycle's production and sale of a limited edition World Bicycle Relief water bottle starting in early '06. All proceeds will go directly to the WBR program.

A free ten-minute "Project Tsunami" DVD documenting the program's progress is available to anyone. Please visit www.worldbicyclerelief.com