COUNTRY / PROBLEM
Namibia is one of the richest countries of Africa, but it also has some of the worst social inequalities in the world, with almost 30% of the population living below the poverty line.
At the same time, the population density in Namibia is one of the lowest in the world. Human settlements are scarce and divided by huge distances. Many people cannot afford any means of transport, which makes it difficult for them to get to work or to reach schools and hospitals in remote areas.
ORGANISATION
BEN Namibia is an NGO that combats transport-related exclusion through popularising bicycles. To achieve that, it has created a network of several dozen shops and service points where people can buy a bicycle at an affordable price. Medical staff and those most disadvantaged receive their bicycles free of charge. The organisation focuses on the promotion of cycling among women and children. A bicycle can significantly improve their quality of life. For many, bicycles are the only means of transport they can afford.
In cooperation with its partners, BEN Namibia collects new and used bicycles which are later transported to Namibia. Used bicycles from all over the world are renovated and redistributed through a network of shops and service points. The profits from the sale of bicycles are used to run the network of shops and service points, which makes it possible to reach thousands of people throughout the country. Bicycles are distributed free of charge to the people who need them most, but first of all to medical staff and volunteers who, thanks to more than seven thousand bikes received so far from BEN Namibia, are able to reach more patients.
Moses Musukubili runs one of the shops and service points in the Zambezi Region. He also has another job as a medical volunteer, where he mainly takes care of children with HIV/AIDS. With a bicycle, he can now visit them even several times a week, as well as reach more people in need.
PROJECTS
Kulczyk Foundation supported:
- purchase of bicycles for the disadvantaged in Swakopmund, Erongo Region,
- purchase of bicycles for the disadvantaged in the Zambezi Region.