THE BICYLCE PROJECT - Give your old bicycle to a village school child

THE BICYLCE PROJECT
Give your old bicycle to a village school child



In villages located a couple of hours outside Mumbai, there are

several children walking miles to get an education. This is the

generation that will bring about a change for the better ' for their

families, their villages, and who knows, maybe even the country and

some day, the world!

Going to school is the most important thing for these kids ' and they

know that. Which is why no distance is too long ' and walking for

hours is normal because missing school is not an option. Whether rain

or shine, blistering heat or freezing cold, these children do their

best to get to school on time, everyday.



We’re asking you to help these children by being part of

the bicycle project.



What is the bicycle project?

We’re collecting your old bicycles, which are probably of little use

to you now and lie rusting on the terrace or behind the garage. After

giving them a new lease of life, we’re going to deliver these bicycles

to the village kids in and around Maharashtra.

Phase 1 of this project will help children in the villages of Pada,

Wadi and Vikramgarh.

You will be able to come and visit these children at any time if you

wish to see how your simple gift of an old bicycle can make a huge

difference to their lives.



Why should you bother helping?

Well, we’re hoping it’ll give you that warm fuzzy feeling inside that

comes from helping those less fortunate than you. But honestly, if you

care about the state of our country, its easy to see that children’s

education is a number one priority right up there with the nutritious

food, clean water and unpolluted air ' things that children all over

the world rightfully deserve. Your bikes, bought for a number of

reasons, are lying useless and gathering rust. That same bike can get

a child to school ' a child who might turn out to be a doctor, lawyer,

teacher or even a scientist some day.



What do you have to do?

You could pick up the phone and call Hemant or Sangeeta Chhabra on

these numbers 65701730 or 9820149022 or you could email them at

sangi2007@hotmail.com. They’d be happy to have the bikes picked up and

refurbished at their own cost, after which they will pass them on to

deserving village children.



Who are these people?

Hemant and Sangeeta believe in the strength of togetherness and

community ' they want to make a difference in gentle and practical

ways. One of them is by building an organic, sustainable

environmentally friendly farmhouse called HideOut in Jhadpoli village.

This has been the base for several camps where city kids are exposed

to the nuances of rural life and are gently reintroduced to the

concept of nurturing nature. Adults too are welcome here to relax, to

reconnect with themselves and to de-stress from the rush and push of

daily life.



Why are they going to all this trouble?

After interacting with their tribal and villager neighbours over the

last 10 years, this couple have been wanting to give back in as many

ways as possible, to these simple folk. This was the germ of the idea

behind the Bicycle Project. This is not about collecting funds,

starting an NGO or roping in celebrities to get media attention. They

just want these kids to stay in school and secure a chance for a

brighter future. Wouldn’t you?