Back Online.

It has been almost 2 years since the last post and globalbike has continue to grow.

Here are some of the highlights -

• three more countries - Bolivia,Tanzania, and Rwanda
• Winning the Beyond Sport Award
• Team Globalbike
• New website - www.globalbike.org
• three new international partners - Grassroot Soccer, Valid International, Rwanda Partners
  

So why start back? Actually, there are two main reasons.

1. We continue to get amazing stories from the folks who are using our bikes. These stories are the heart and soul of globalbike and they should be shared. Here is a small example from one of our newest bikes working in Zambia with Grassroot Soccer.

Vasco Boneface is from Angola and left the country in 2000 to come to Zambia. He spent his first six years in Nangweshi Refugee Settlement until it closed where he then was moved to Mayukwayukwa. Mr Boneface is disabled and has no hands. Because of this he has found it to be very difficult to do any hard labor or work such as working in the fields. However, he has learned to adapt so that he can carry on with his life.

He joined Grassroot Soccer and Breakthrough Sports Academy when it started in 2007 in Nangweshi. He decided to be part of it because he felt that it could help him in his life and because he knew that it was important to discuss about HIV/AIDS. He also knew that it would help in physical activity/fitness.

He is working with Breakthrough Sports Academy now where he coaches the younger and older football teams in his club, Palanca Negra. He also coaches traditional dance teams as well as a drumming group and singing group.

Having a bicycle will make his work as a Local Programme Coordinator much easier. Even though he is unable to currently navigate a bicycle himself because of his disability he plans to have his elder son drive the bicycle while he sits behind. He is also working to learn to adapt to riding a bicycle himself. With this bicycle he will now be able travel all over the settlement, including the distant area of Shibanga, much faster than before.

2) In one week, Intern Kari will arrive in Zambia as globalbike's first ever international intern. It will be on this blog that she shares her stories, thoughts and hopefully pictures of her amazing journey.

I hope you will continue to check back - learn more about Kari's trip - and in turn learn more about globalbike.

Two Wheels truly make a World of Difference.