May Update!
Updates on the Zambikes Team in Zambia and the ways in which challenging situations have strengthened team members…
INTRODUCTION LETTER
It had been a full day. Benjamin and I were returning from a trip to distribute ten Zambulance trailers and bikes to urban clinics throughout Lusaka.
Because it was getting dark and late, I told Benjamin to drop me off at the corner so I could walk to catch the bus and he could get home to his family. I was nearly to the bus stop when I was approached by five street kids out of an alley, all about the age of 17.
Their intent was not to hurt me. All ten hands went straight for my phone and wallet. I defended myself until I was thrown to the ground. The event passed in slow motion. Thankfully, I rose from the ground unscathed.
I ran for fifteen minutes until I found a policeman. That weekend I sent Lot, Evans and Joe to search for more information – they returned later unsuccessful (Check out the spotlight article below for the full story on Lot, Evans and Joe. These three men are former street kids who now work at the Zambikes farm).
As I reflect back, I find I am not angry with the kids. I consider their circumstances and imagine that they have similar stories to Lot, Evans and Joe. If I were in their shoes I might resort to doing the same thing. My hope is that these kids can find direction through something like Zambikes so they can have hope in their lives.
I have lost a driver’s license, some cash, my phone and pictures. Yet, the experience rekindled my desire to be a light in Zambia by providing opportunities to the underprivileged.
Please keep the Zambikes team in your prayers as we continue to work with them to turn lives around, one Zambike, Zambulance or Zamcart at a time. Your unwavering support ensures that Zambikes can continue to provide the opportunities that are so desperately needed.
With thankfulness and appreciation,
Vaughn Spethmann
Co-Founder
ZAMBULANCE TRAILERS HIT THE STREETS
By Vaughn Spethmann
Personally, one of the saddest things about life in Zambia is the nonchalant view on death taken by most. Funerals are commonplace and expected. Average life expectancy is below 40 years of age; almost half of the population is under the age of 16.
Tuberculosis, cholera, dehydration and malaria are some of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in Zambia and Africa. The worst part is that these ailments are curable – if only people could get to a clinic.
The Zambulance is one solution to this problem. The use of the bicycle ambulance trailer allows people to get to clinics from areas unreachable by car. Research has revealed that every nine days that the Zambulance is in the field, a life is saved through its use.
Zambikes recently delivered Zambulances to the Malaria Consortium in eastern Zambia. Additionally, through a partnership with the Solon Foundation and the Ministry of Health, ten Zambulances were distributed to urban clinics in the compounds of Lusaka.
The Zambulance has received public recognition as a crucial link to extending healthcare to people all over Zambia. There have been segments on the Zambian national TV and articles on the front page of the national newspaper and online.
Rather than importing the product, Zambikes sources the materials and manufactures the trailers in the Zambikes facilities. The following video link, “A Day in the Zambikes Shop,” gives a snapshot on who makes the Zambulance trailers and how they are made. ZAMBULANCE VIDEO
On a large scale, the Zambulance and Zamcart trailers are creating employment, creating products that the country needs and instilling hope where hope is hard to find.
BAMBOO BECOMING BIKES
By Matt Castle
Who would have thought to take one of the world’s most naturally occurring and fastest-growing plants, known for being strong, yet flexible, and turn it into a bicycle frame and trailer?
Maybe we all should have thought of it, but Craig Calfee thought of it first. Craig is the world’s foremost pioneer in bamboo bicycles. He recently visited Zambikes for one week to train the team in producing bicycle frames made from natural materials.
The process is simple: harvest mature pieces of bamboo and cut them into lengths appropriate for building bike frames. Then, treat the bamboo to prevent it from cracking, connect the pieces together using resin-treated sisal (twine), and there you have it: the most sustainable, “green” bicycle frame in the world. The frame has been created – start to finish – with nearly one hundred percent local materials.
The most amazing aspect of these bikes, though, is not the finished product. It is the people and process behind the finished product that are truly special. The newly trained bamboo specialists are setting themselves apart from typical Zambians by paying attention to the small details. The bikes are difficult to build, requiring trained skills and careful work. Their ability to work carefully is just another example of how Zambikes is changing lives by passing along not only technical skills, but positive character traits as well.
Zambikes is hoping to have the bamboo bike frames available for sale to Acirfa donors as well as through Craig Calfee’s company, Bamboosero later this year… watch for them!
New videos! Watch the recent Zambikes Bamboo Video and the Bamboosero Video on YouTube.
SPOTLIGHT
By: Vaughn Spethmann
Evans, Joe and Lottie
Born in: Kitwe 1987, Mufulira 1987 and Kabwe 1989
BEFORE ZAMBIKES:
Evans, Joe and Lottie all experienced the death of a parent at a young age and subsequently an abusive step-parent. Their ages ranged from 7 to 12 when they ran away from home, living on the streets for 7 years. They eventually found their way to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, which is known for more lucrative begging.
The boys lived under bridges and shop awnings. Their days were spent begging and eating out of trash bins from restaurants. When they gathered enough, they cooked for themselves using old paint cans. Living on the streets is not easy; the nights were cold and drug use was prevalent.
The three boys met at Fountain of Hope & Jesus Cares ministries where they found they could receive a free meal during the day. Soon after, they started attending Miracle Life Church. Miracle Life later approached Zambikes to see if there was work available for the boys.
NOW:
Evans, Joe and Lot have been working for Zambikes for three months on the Community Center. They say it is the first time they have ever been able to pay rent. Joe is now able to support his other siblings, Evans can support his wife and Lot likes to give to people in need.
Not only have they received regular paychecks and training in construction, but they have realized they do not belong on the street. After receiving some attention and encouragement, they are hard working and excited to be a part of the Zambikes family.
GOALS:
Their goals include going back to school, working for Zambikes for many more years and owning their own farms. The Zambikes team hopes that they will never be on streets or have a need to steal or beg again.
KELVIN & HIS WISH – ZAMBIKES & THEIR RESPONSE:
In January I came across a unique and inspiring story about a young boy at the age of 12 with only one wish…
Kelvin was born with club feet and hands, restricting him from walking or even using his arms and hands properly.
As a young boy, he was filled with energy and passion for life. In Zambia, when a child has problems in their tendons like Kelvin, the average family looks at them as a wasted asset and disregards them as part of the family.
Kelvin did not give in. He survived a difficult early childhood until he finally met Sister Irene at the Convent Catholic House. Sister Irene saw something special in Kelvin. Her love for Kelvin motivated her to raise enough money for him to undergo 4 surgeries, 2 on his legs and 2 on his arms, in order for Kelvin to walk and control his arms with little help.
Up until the surgeries, Kelvin’s best friend came to his house each morning, picked him up on his own back, and carried him over a mile to the Convent for school.
After recovering from his 4th surgery, Zambikes was able to play a part in making Kelvin’s one wish come true. Kelvin told Sister Irene before he had the surgery, “My wish is to one day be able to ride a bicycle on my own.”
Last week, Zambikes got to meet Kelvin and present him with the donation of a bicycle. Ear to ear with smiles, Kelvin and his best friend each took a test ride on the brand new Zambike around the Zambikes plot. Now he will be able to ride to school on his own.
It is a blessing to be a blessing…
Special Thanks
We would like to give a special thank you to Daryl Funk. This spring he joined Zambikes on his third trip to Zambia for a length of 4 months.
He is already deeply missed by the entire team. None of the progress thus far could have happened without him!
Hi, Amazing! Not clear for me, how offen you updating your http://www.abikes.org.
Pett June 4th, 2009