Friends,
The Rwanda Bicycle trailer Project Video is now available at www.youtube.com
You may either search "Rwanda Bicycle Trailer" or simply paste this text in your internet browser... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLBhsifiW_E
This project really made a positive impact within the Kibungo community and as you will see from the video, the frendships that were formed were as important as the skills that were learned.
I hope you enjoy watching the video as much as I did making it. I look forward to continuing to bring trailer projects to the areas that need them and invite you to participate as well. Thank you for all the support this project received along the way, the implementation was a great success!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Kibungo, Rwanda Trailer Project Implementation Complete
The Kibungo, Rwanda trailer implementation process is complete! Based on the smiles and enthusiasm from the project participants, villagers, community bicycle riders and church and governmental officials I'd say the results were nothing short of miraculous. The performance of the trailers during testing and evaluation was superb, the cultural acceptance was overwhelmingly positive and the practicality of the trailers (ease of use, purchase price, operational costs, durability, towing capacities, flexibility and multiple use applications) left people feeling encouraged and empowered. These trailers offer a practical answer to the people at the lowest economic levels with serious transportation needs.
The project is targeted to enable people through 3 distinct channels/streams:
1) The issues related to the transportation of goods primarily in rural communities
a. Safely transporting goods and passengers
b. Efficiently transporting goods (less time, loss prevention)
c. Increasing productivity and the quality of delivered goods
d. Increasing goods distribution distances
2) The development of “Grass Roots” micro-businesses to stimulate the economy
a. Creating manufacturing jobs
b. Stimulating supporting micro-business spin-offs.
i. Delivery Services
ii. Hauling Services
iii. Trailer Repairs
iv. Trailer Accessories
v. Sales/Rentals
3) Supporting the training and development of personal and professional
Vocational/Technical skills within the local communities
a. Learning and applying business skills, organizational skills, and the
importance of product Quality and Safety at work
b. Learning and applying manufacturing skills
c. Proper use and care of tools
d. How to utilize build instructions, plans and processes
e. How to operate a business efficiently
f. Material and inventory control
g. Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
h. Critical problem solving and self reliance
The trailers represent a starting point for the ongoing development of these skills within the local communities. The project is designed to stimulate the development of micro-business ideas by the project participants. There is no end to the possibilities these skills offer. They are invaluable because they represent knowledge. I believe the way to lessen one’s reliance on foreign aid and to increase economic independence is through empowering the people at the “Grass Roots” local levels. This is where people live day to day and need it the most.
The project participants are now fully capable of continuing to produce and sell high quality trailers. They are also ready to train additional people in the skill sets they have learned. Ongoing support will be provided to ensure their success.
The project utilizes a documented comprehensive process driven approach. This ensures the results are repeatable while the project remains flexible for appropriate cultural applications. I invite you to view the pictures at the bottom of the blog page (Rwanda Project) to view the project slides. A video presentation will be available soon.
Special thanks must be extended to Bishop Josias Sendegeya and his wife Dorothy for their support and hospitality while I was in Rwanda. I'd also like to thank all the financial donors that made this project possible and my dad for his insight concerning the trailer specs and design. When you see the video of the trailer parade (police escort) and all the people cheering us on you will see how much potential the project truly represents.
The next trailer project could be yours!
more to follow soon...
The project is targeted to enable people through 3 distinct channels/streams:
1) The issues related to the transportation of goods primarily in rural communities
a. Safely transporting goods and passengers
b. Efficiently transporting goods (less time, loss prevention)
c. Increasing productivity and the quality of delivered goods
d. Increasing goods distribution distances
2) The development of “Grass Roots” micro-businesses to stimulate the economy
a. Creating manufacturing jobs
b. Stimulating supporting micro-business spin-offs.
i. Delivery Services
ii. Hauling Services
iii. Trailer Repairs
iv. Trailer Accessories
v. Sales/Rentals
3) Supporting the training and development of personal and professional
Vocational/Technical skills within the local communities
a. Learning and applying business skills, organizational skills, and the
importance of product Quality and Safety at work
b. Learning and applying manufacturing skills
c. Proper use and care of tools
d. How to utilize build instructions, plans and processes
e. How to operate a business efficiently
f. Material and inventory control
g. Fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
h. Critical problem solving and self reliance
The trailers represent a starting point for the ongoing development of these skills within the local communities. The project is designed to stimulate the development of micro-business ideas by the project participants. There is no end to the possibilities these skills offer. They are invaluable because they represent knowledge. I believe the way to lessen one’s reliance on foreign aid and to increase economic independence is through empowering the people at the “Grass Roots” local levels. This is where people live day to day and need it the most.
The project participants are now fully capable of continuing to produce and sell high quality trailers. They are also ready to train additional people in the skill sets they have learned. Ongoing support will be provided to ensure their success.
The project utilizes a documented comprehensive process driven approach. This ensures the results are repeatable while the project remains flexible for appropriate cultural applications. I invite you to view the pictures at the bottom of the blog page (Rwanda Project) to view the project slides. A video presentation will be available soon.
Special thanks must be extended to Bishop Josias Sendegeya and his wife Dorothy for their support and hospitality while I was in Rwanda. I'd also like to thank all the financial donors that made this project possible and my dad for his insight concerning the trailer specs and design. When you see the video of the trailer parade (police escort) and all the people cheering us on you will see how much potential the project truly represents.
The next trailer project could be yours!
more to follow soon...
Monday, June 11, 2007
Rwanda Bicycle Trailer Update
Hello from Kibungo Rwanda-
This update will be short, as power outages, disconnects and the like are commonplace. First, the project participants (5 young men) are now working completely self directed. Most had never seen a screwdriver and only 1 had ever turned a wrench as of 2 weeks ago when we started; they are all now completely confident and proficient in the use of common hand tools, power tools, specialized metal working tools and MIG welding. Everybody can now weld and 3 of them weld with a high level of quality. This is remarkable considering we are only on day 1 of the 3rd week. Several frames are complete and there is a buzz all about town concerning the project. The project participants have worked very hard and have learned the skills necessary to continue manufacturing/fabrication long after I leave.
The trailers have been eyed by every passer by and we have had a few practice sessions where we demonstrated the capabilities of the trailers. I'd say by the smiles and enthusiasm they are ready to utilize the trailers.
I have a detailed account of everyday's project progress with supporting photos but downloading files and pictures has proven a lengthy exercise ending in disconnects from the internet, so that information will all be posted upon my return to the US.
Today I provided some pictures of simple steel framed wheelchairs that use a plastic chair to sit in. They are excited about the prospect of building those as well.
I have been challenging the project participants to consider new ways to utilize and apply their skills. The trailers represent 1 of many manufacturing/fabrication oportunities which exist here today. With the tools and skills they now possess I believe some economic independence and self reliance has emerged. This is a feeling of empowerment and has led to high levels of confidence and self esteem I did not see at the beginning of the project.
This update will be short, as power outages, disconnects and the like are commonplace. First, the project participants (5 young men) are now working completely self directed. Most had never seen a screwdriver and only 1 had ever turned a wrench as of 2 weeks ago when we started; they are all now completely confident and proficient in the use of common hand tools, power tools, specialized metal working tools and MIG welding. Everybody can now weld and 3 of them weld with a high level of quality. This is remarkable considering we are only on day 1 of the 3rd week. Several frames are complete and there is a buzz all about town concerning the project. The project participants have worked very hard and have learned the skills necessary to continue manufacturing/fabrication long after I leave.
The trailers have been eyed by every passer by and we have had a few practice sessions where we demonstrated the capabilities of the trailers. I'd say by the smiles and enthusiasm they are ready to utilize the trailers.
I have a detailed account of everyday's project progress with supporting photos but downloading files and pictures has proven a lengthy exercise ending in disconnects from the internet, so that information will all be posted upon my return to the US.
Today I provided some pictures of simple steel framed wheelchairs that use a plastic chair to sit in. They are excited about the prospect of building those as well.
I have been challenging the project participants to consider new ways to utilize and apply their skills. The trailers represent 1 of many manufacturing/fabrication oportunities which exist here today. With the tools and skills they now possess I believe some economic independence and self reliance has emerged. This is a feeling of empowerment and has led to high levels of confidence and self esteem I did not see at the beginning of the project.
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