Today the Rwandan Cycling Federation (FERWACY), in conjunction with Team Rwanda Cycling (TRC) and Adrien Niyonshuti Cycling Academy (ANCA), will begin the process of distributing 200 Qhubeka bicycles to school children in the Rwamagana District, home town of Olympic cyclist, Adrien Niyonshuti. Adrien is currently riding professionally in Europe with the South African based, MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung Pro Continental Team.
The bicycles were donated to the ANCA last year through a Mountain Bike Fundraising Ride in the US, the 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda. The late wife of the founder of this event was a school teacher in the US for many years and was passionate about education. The bicycles will be used by school children to make it easier to get to and from school, covering the long distances in a shorter period of time and hopefully increasing attendance and grades.
Adrien Niyonshuti said, “I am very happy for the bicycles and for the support of my team, MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung, as well as World Bicycle Relief, Team Rwanda Cycling, the Federation and the people who participated in the ride in the US to help bring bicycles to school children. Education is very important to the future of the children of Rwanda.”
The programme will be modeled after the World Bicycle Relief (WBR) Bicycle Education Empowerment Programme (BEEP) already successful in Zambia, South Africa and many other sub-Saharan countries.
The monitoring and evaluation of this programme will be completed by White Dove Foundation.
The ceremony on Monday will be held in Rwamagana District at GS RWAMAGANA A beginning at 2:00pm. The first 100 bicycles will be delivered to the following schools:
- GS ANGLICAN 18
- GS ISLAMIC 9
- GS KABARE 6
- GS NSINDA 6
- GS NYARUSANGE 16
- GS RWAMAGANA A 33
- GS RWAMAGANA B 12
Invited dignitaries include:
- President of the Cycling Federation, Mr. BAYINGANA Aimable
- Secretary of State in charge of Primary and Secondary schools Mr. HAREBAMUNGU Mathias
- Ministry of Sports and Culture, Mr. MITALI Protais
- Governor of East Province, Ms. UWAMALIAYA
- Mayor of Rwamagana District, Mr. NEHEMIAH
- Headmasters of selected schools
The event will begin at 14:00 with a welcome speech by the Mayor. Bike distribution will be at 14:30.
For more info, follow @Ferwacy and @TRwandaCycling on Twitter.
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