Photo: Bikes to Rwanda
Back in October, I brought you the story of a group of Portlanders who wanted to provide reliable cargo bikes to coffee growers in Rwanda.
Since then, Bikes to Rwanda has been busy testing bikes, traveling to Rwanda, and raising money and spreading the word about their program.
They’ve made exciting progress and according to volunteer Hazel Gross, they plan to have 400 bikes on the ground by April or May of this year. In addition to sending bikes, the group plans to send volunteers to Rwanda to teach farmers basic maintenance skills that will keep the bikes running.
Hazel says their big goal is to establish a permanent repair shop. But to do so, they need help getting tools. She’s asking for our help to donate old tools for the cause. Here’s a list of what they need.
- 4,5 & 6mm Allen. [Ideally one set for every bicycle] crank extractor [40]
- crank bolt socket wrench 15mm [40]
- cassette lock ring tool. Park description: freewheel tool (Shimano/Maillard) [40]
- External Cup 20 tooth bottom bracket tool (shimano/ISIS drive) [40]
- Adjustable/crescent wrench 9”+ [30]
If you have any of the above tools lying around your shop you can mail them to:
-
Bikes to Rwanda
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd. #406
Portland, OR 97214
You can also make a donation via PayPal at BikesToRwanda.com
Bikes to Rwanda is it’s own organization. There are members who are involved with Stumptown and PUMA but it comepletely separate.
There will be 400 bikes on the ground in April or May.
And if you have tools, please email info@bikestorwanda.com rather then mailing them. You can mail donations of money to that secure address.
Thanks,
Hazel
Wow, this really sounds like some great work.
I’ll see what I can do about getting you some tools!