Bicycles For Humanity - Opuwo The Kaoko Bike Work Shop
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In 2009 Bicycles For Humanity, Australasia sent it's first 40 ft shipping container of unused bikes to Namibia. It was implemented as a Bicycle Empowerment Centre by our in country partner Bicycle Empowerment Network Namibia. Before this bike shop was established the closest place you could buy a bike or get one serviced was 300 km away. The arrival of 400 bikes from Melbourne and the establishment of the skills to service and maintain them has altered the town. While the bikes provide for access to education, health care, economic opportunity and community the bike work shop provides employment, skills training, business opportunity and economic stimulus. The Kaoko Bike Workshop is a very successful project - the first of many.
Comments
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Unfortunately this has been one of the many failures of Opuwo. I am resident and customer of the project and bought 3 bikes from Opuwo and 1 in Ondangwa and was truly amazed and a very impressed and supportive customer of the shop. I loved how the bike project/charity brought new opportunities and mode of transport to many in the town. However the reality is some of the staff cherry picked and sold the bikes off cheap to friends, they got a known for selling parts off your bike that was sent in for repair, allowed people to take the tools never to be returned, the place was broken into and stolen from and if that isn't bad enough the town police decided to make it their mission to fine everyone that did not have a helmet and like the video says there isn't a bike ship for 300km so no chance of helmets. I have been pulled over just 2 days ago by the police due to my lack of helmet that was stolen whilst shopping and maybe due to the fact the police are intolerant of the bicycles. I have actually been threatened with a fine by the police for pushing my bike without a helmet on as it had a puncture.... End result is a total disappointment and a shameful reality for the town and the people involved...
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