Thanks to a generous donation from the Diethelm Foundation, we were able to acquire 89 bicycles and 2 mopeds to assist underprivileged children and youth in Cambodia. This article narrates the inspiring journey of this initiative and the lasting impact it has had on the lives of those it has touched.
A Partnership with a Vision
For many years, the WeCare Association has forged a close partnership with the NGO avec in Battambang. The NGO avec runs a highly successful educational project in extremely impoverished regions of Battambang. Representatives from the NGO regularly visit the two supported schools, distributing essential supplies to parents of the attending students. The objective of this initiative is to provide parents with incentives to ensure their children’s regular school attendance.
A Remarkable Step in 2021
In late 2021, the WeCare Association received a substantial contribution from the Diethelm Foundation. Following extensive consultations with Theavy Bun and Patrik Roux, it was decided to provide bicycles to deserving children among the disadvantaged. Careful consideration was given to distribute bicycles exclusively to students displaying continuous school attendance and unwavering commitment to their education. This led to a requirement for 77 bicycles for these students, in addition to 12 bicycles for the children residing at the Safe House in Battambang. Furthermore, all 89 bicycles were equipped with locks to ensure their safety.
Beyond Just a Bicycle
In Cambodia, owning a bicycle can bring about profound transformations in the lives of underprivileged children and their families. In a country where mobility is often constrained, a bicycle frequently stands as the sole means of transportation for an entire family. Here are tangible benefits that ensue:
- Enhanced Mobility: In numerous rural areas of Cambodia, roads remain unpaved and challenging to traverse. A bicycle empowers individuals to commute swiftly and efficiently to school, work, or markets.
- Access to Education: Children gain easier access to education thanks to bicycles, vastly improving their educational prospects. Often shared among multiple children, bicycles lead to reduced school absences and expanded educational opportunities.
- Economic Prospects: A bicycle opens doors to superior employment opportunities for parents, facilitating access to distant workplaces. This can raise family income and elevate their quality of life.
- Health and Well-being: Cycling promotes good health and serves as a preventive measure against illnesses, thereby reducing family medical expenses.
- Goods Transportation: Bicycles also serve as practical means to transport agricultural or artisanal products for sale at local markets, contributing to increased family income.
The provision of these bicycles reinforces the NGO avec’s message regarding the significance of regular school attendance. Diligent students are duly rewarded. The official handover of the bicycles took place amidst the presence of parents and local dignitaries at the NGO avec’s premises in a solemn ceremony.
Tangible Progress: Insights from Bicycle Recipients
Two years following the Diethelm Foundation’s generous bicycle donation, Patrik and Theavy conducted in-person interviews with the recipients. These heartfelt video testimonials vividly illustrate how even modest forms of support can bring about lasting transformations in the lives of individuals in Cambodia.
We take this moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Diethelm Foundation for their munificent contribution. Without their support, the realization of this project would have remained an unattainable dream. Their generosity has left an enduring mark on countless children and families in Cambodia. We firmly believe that these bicycles will serve as more than just modes of transportation; they will be catalysts for change and progress.