Households asked to participate in the School Bikes for Africa scheme

Mullingar Rotary Club and its counterpart in Athlone with the support of Westmeath County Council are asking local households to participate in this year's School Bikes for Africa initiative.

Over the past six years Rotary Ireland has collected bikes across the country , refurbished them and sent them to school going children in Africa. Many children have to walk a long distance to school, some over 5 km, often without adequate food or water. A typical journey could take at least 90 minutes with children arriving late and tired for school. Having to walk such long distances in hot sunshine to school, and face the return journey at 2pm in the afternoon when the sun is at its hottest is not conducive to students regularly attending school.

Having a bike to cycle to school makes a huge difference for a student. Students tend to be more attentive at school. Students look after the bikes and they tend to last them for many years. In Africa the advantage of bike ownership in a family can enhance life immeasurably and can significantly improve their lives through access to education, work and essential services.

The Irish Prison Service have also been involved from the outset, establishing a Bike Shed at Loughan House Open Centre in Cavan, where the bikes are refurbished. Individuals working in the bike shed not only develop the technical skills required to refurbish bikes, but their personal contribution is a means to improved motivation and has a positive influence on their self-esteem.

Collection points have been set up at Athlone Civic Amenity centre and Mullingar Civic Amenity centre, where bikes will be collected for transportation on to Loughan House, refurbished and on for shipment to Africa.

Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach Frankie Keena will launch the School Bikes for Africa scheme for Westmeath this Wednesday afternoon in Athlone Civic Amenity Centre.