Bicycles reduce poverty and boost the economy by providing inexpensive transport. Every day, bicycles are used by OHED members for alleviating poverty, hunger, illiteracy, diseases and conflicts in the DR Congo.
In recent years there has been an increasing focus on the importance of passing the traditional cycling culture on to new generations in OHED operational zones. Many local authorities and the Congolese Cyclists’ Federation are among the players that have put considerable efforts into carrying out educational campaigns on the utilization of bicycles in the DR Congo. The measures are often initiated in cooperation with concerned organizations, schools, day care facilities, local teams, and community groups with funding from various foundations. Unfortunately, OHED has not yet received any support on bicycle programs since its creation.
In 2014, OHED members created the OHED BICYCLE CENTER (OBC) with the aim of enhancing human living conditions and promoting economic empowerment within the Congolese communities. A good collaboration with different partners has been established in that regard.
In general, OHED trainers are regularly building the capacity of other members and the entire local communities in partnership with international NGOs including ONE STREET and ARUSHA BICYCLE CENTER (ABC) as well as with government authorities by carrying out farming and transport activities in areas affected by armed groups’ conflicts and hunger. In operational zones, OHED members have been trained by their Directors on how to use and repair bicycles for alleviating poverty, hunger, conflicts and diseases as well as for increasing revenues and enhancing living conditions in their households.
Actually, bicycles reduce poverty and boost the economy by providing inexpensive transport and thus contributing to the growth of our members’ businesses. In educational, farming, medical and commercial fields for example, Congolese people need bicycles for reducing displacement costs and economic dependency during their daily activities. However, the insufficiency of equipment remains a serious challenge.
So far, OHED has got good collaboration and cooperation with the ARUSHA BICYCLE CENTER (ABC) in Tanzania, ONE STREET in the USA and other world organizations. Likewise, OHED provides a few bicycles for members’ transport programs and work assessment in each operational zone. These bicycles are insufficient for community members to rely on because there is such a great demand to use them in areas where motorbikes, vehicles and other transport means are not available.
In all ways, OHED is seeking donations of many more bicycles so that households can have their own to depend on for their transport and business needs. We will also provide bicycle repair training; and, we will seek donations of tools and repair parts to ensure that all the bicycles we provide become reliable for transportation.
Our bicycle repair training will also enable some of our members to generate income as bicycle mechanics across the target provinces in need.
In general, conducting regular training sessions on bicycle programs enable the OHED Executive Director and trainers to enhance the capacities of other members and develop their talents in transport and business activities.
In urban and rural areas, bicycles help OHED members move fast, reduce costs, increase revenues and develop the sense of hope in social and economic concerns.
OHED members are working under norms and regulations mentioned in their by-laws. They also make sure that obstacles on bicycling are overcome across villages and towns with much trustworthiness and appreciation.
Every day, bicycles are used by OHED members for alleviating poverty, hunger, illiteracy, diseases and conflicts in rural and urban areas of the DR Congo.
