The first BEC project, which was delivered in November 2006 and is run by members of the Anglican Church home based care organization.

The Okathitu project really demonstrates that B4H's faith in community volunteers is well placed. The Okathitu BEC has provided free bicycles to healthcare volunteers and orphans travelling long distances to school. It has also provided affordable bicycles and repair services to people deep in rural Namibia who previously relied on walking long distances.

The income generated by the project has funded education loans for villagers, hiring a tractor to plough the mahangu (local grain staple) fields to feed the 230 orphans in the village, a brick building that will serve as an office and accommodation for teachers at the nearby school, a fence around the BEC site so that fruit trees can be grown, an extension to the shade structure on the container, ongoing supplies of spare parts and a small wage for the previously unemployed women who work as mechanics.

One villager has been able to study tourism with an education loan, and is planning to establish a camp in the village to bring tourists to an area that few foreigners ever see. Father Lazarus Ekandjo, the home based care coordinator and BEC project leader, has been lobbying government for years to establish a clinic in the village. He had his wish granted in late 2007 when the health minister visited and declared that a new clinic will be built next door to the BEC. A new gravel road will also be constructed next year, making bicycle travel to and from the nearest town much faster through the sandy terrain.

B4H supporting chapter/B4H partner: B4H Whistler
Other supporters: US Embassy of Namibia small grant program

Links:
Bicycles for Humanity - Whistler Chapter

News

February 2007 Update