Yesterday, in an inspirational event made possible by Wildlands Conservation Trust, MTN and Qhubeka, over 100 bicycles, cell phones and “clever desks” were handed over to community members in Buffelsdraai. This formed part of the Wildlands’ Tree-preneur programme which sees community members planting trees and being rewarded for their “green” efforts with items such as bicycles, which ultimately increases their accessibility to healthcare and education.
Qhubeka and Wildlands formed a partnership with a common goal in mind – to help build communities where transportation is no longer a barrier to healthcare, education, sport and economic opportunity. Through the support of World Bicycle Relief (WBR) Wildlands and Qhubeka opened a Bicycle Assembly Plant in Pietermaritzburg in October 2011, which has produced over 2000 bicycles in 2012 alone.
The event also launched the “Clever Desk” – a pilot project involving support from the Dalo Group, MTN, Qhubeka and SAMSUNG. The desk made of corrugated board, folds up and fits into a back-pack made from up-cycled billboards. The box the desk comes in is also re-usable and transforms into a cycling board game that can keep children busy for hours. “The clever desk was developed when there became an obvious need for desks and chairs within rural schools,” said Lyle Krause of the Dalo Group. “The corrugated board structure can hold up to 100kgs of weight and also has some educational elements on the desk cover including a space for a child’s name, timetables, alphabets and children’s rights,” commented Krause.
Cyclist and employee of MTN, Jody Forrester, also spoke at the ceremony, with Siphiwe Ndlovu of Wildlands translating his speech for the community members. “I cycled 2400km in 19 days from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town as part of the Freedom Challenge earlier this year,” said Forrester. “It was through this race and the sponsorship of MTN that I could contribute to raising funds to purchase some of the bicycles we have handed over,” continues Forrester, “participating in the race was truly amazing, but I must say the best part is seeing how people have benefitted here today.”
One of the bicycle recipients included 51 year old Fikelephi Dladla who said, “I am very happy because not using the taxis all the time will save me money, and my grandchildren will also benefit from the desk because they will learn new things.” Celiwe Goqo received 5 bicycles for planting 500 trees, “I am so happy I planted those trees, now I can sell these bicycles and buy food for my family,” concluded Celiwe.
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)