Giving rural school children access to bikes is a proven effective way of lifting academic performance. In September 2016, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) donated 350 new bikes to children at three schools in Bergville KwaZulu Natal as part of their long term partnership with Qhubeka’s Bicycle Education Empowerment Programme (BEEP).
VWSA’s Matt Gennrich, believes that “every one of these bikes can make a big difference in someone’s life as learners consistently report improved grades after getting a bicycle due to on-time arrival, better concentration and gaining more hours every week for study”.
Qhubeka’s Sarah Phaweni says BEEP goes well beyond simply supplying the signature Blue Bikes with helmet, spanner, combination lock and pump; “The programme also ensures that the bikes are used optimally and really benefit the community”.
A trained mechanic is established in each area and a Bicycle Supervisory Committee is set up at each school which determines the beneficiaries and enforces a two year service-to-own contract with the children and their parents or guardians. The bicycle only becomes the personal property of the learner if the contract is adhered to and they are doing well at school.
As part of this extended commitment to the children, Volkswagen, Qhubeka and World Vision held a friendly cycle challenge in Bergville on 24 October and then announced that the most promising six riders would be given the opportunity to participate in a cycling race next year. The group will be led by a mentor to help them prepare mentally and physically for the event in 2017.
Volkswagen is one of the largest donors to the BEEP programme having contributed 1,850 bicycles in total so far.
Watch the bicycle handover and cycle challenge video here:
