Olwethu is 18 years old and lives in the Kayamandi informal settlement in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Before she had a bicycle, Olwethu had to walk about 3km per day between getting to and from school and collecting water for the household (one of her daily chores). Olwethu earned her Buffalo Bicycle from Qhubeka by achieving excellent marks in school despite trying obstacles that stand in her way.
Olwethu dreams of studying medicine, and now that she is able to get to school faster, more safely and more regularly, her dream is one step closer.
After the ceremony, she rode through the streets of Kayamandi near her home, crowds of children running behind, ringing the bike bell, and asking for rides themselves. Olwethu had just learned to ride her bike, but already she was beaming as she rode, talking about all of the places this bike will carry her.
She is also enjoying the freedom that cycling gives her, and is happy to share the bike with her siblings. The whole family is enjoying increased mobility, thanks to one bicycle, which was funded by Bud and Lentine’s Epic Everyday project.
The need for bicycles in communities like Olwethu’s is great and you can help us change more lives by making a donation to BicyclesChangeLives or taking part in the Qhubeka 5 000.
