Bicycles for Education - Da Nang and Quang Nam

BICYCLES FOR EDUCATION - DA NANG AND QUANG NAM

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Bicycles for Education - Da Nang and Quand Nam

Provide a bicycle as reliable transportation to school for 10 Children
add to watch list

Bicycles for Education - Da Nang and Quand Nam

Provide a bicycle as reliable transportation to school for 10 Children
add to watch list

Bicycles for Education - Da Nang and Quand Nam

Provide a bicycle as reliable transportation to school for 10 Children

Project Summary

A child who has quick, reliable transportation to school is less likely to drop out at an early age to assist with family chores or to care for siblings.
For children of poor families or orphans who must travel long distances, a bicycle means the difference between attending school or not. A bike is the difference between growing to their fullest potential and the difference between leaving poverty or staying stuck for another generation. Sending a child to school may cost as much as a family’s entire monthly income to pay for school fees, books, supplies, and uniform, leaving little or nothing to buy food or pay for other needs. The purchase of a bicycle is simply a dream. This project makes that dream a reality for 11 of Vietnam's most vulnerable children.

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What?

COV works with the local government and schools to identify children with the greatest need then visits many children in their homes to assess his or her situation and to encourage school attendance. At the beginning of each school year, the scholarships are awarded during a special ceremony that highlights the importance school attendance. The ceremonies happen at schools, Community Centers, People’s Committee, orphanages and street children houses. Parents and relatives always come to encourage their children and celebrate receiving a much-needed bicycle. The day the children are to receive their bicycles is a time of extreme excitement. The ceremony may be at 9 a.m., but children commonly arrive as early as 7 a.m., without sleep the night before, each one hoping for a glimpse of their special gift. They have never owned a bicycle in their life and are very happy.

Why?

Children of Vietnam has been successfully operating its Bicycles for Education Program since 1998. It was developed to reduce the likelihood of a child being taken out of school at a very young age – 4th or 5th grade – to assist with family chores such as cleaning cooking, looking for fuel, carrying water, caring for siblings, and washing clothes. This is especially the case if a child must walk 3 to 8 km to school daily in 85-105 degree temperatures.

To date over 1,300 children have received bicycles helping them attend school every day and be ready to learn upon their arrival.

How?

The budget includes the purchase of bicycles, office supplies and program staff required to implement the project.

$63.00 for bike purchase (made in Vietnam)
$7.00 for office supplies & staff time
=
$70.00 per bicycle given to one child

11 bikes X $70 = $770 Total Project

The bicycles are manufactured in Da Nang and are equipped with a stainless steel chain guard (to protect Ao Dais which are required in many high schools), a plastic coated utility basket, a built-in theft lock, and a cargo rack above the rear wheel—to carry goods, siblings, and friends! Some parts are imported and used to upgrade the bike for long life. These include upgraded chains, sprockets, and brakes, all of which are of high quality. COV has been told that their bicycles are of the best quality received by the children in the area.

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The recipients of the bicycles are children living in poverty in Da Nang city and Quang Nam province. Some children have only one parent providing care, while others have disabled parents who are unable to work; others still have working parents who are supporting multiple children as well as elderly parents. All of the children have few comforts, and their families live day-to-day to bring food to the table. Selected children are in 1st through 12th grades. To receive a bicycle the children and their parents are required to sign a contract agreeing to attend school daily.
Bicycles are distributed evenly between boys and girls; approximately 30% of the children live in urban areas while the other 70% live in outlying rural areas; and about 10% are ethnic minorities. Children identified to receive a bicycle are:
• Children of poor families (based on local poverty level standards)
• Children living in rural remote areas
• Orphan children or those living with only one parent or with a relative
• Children whose parents have a health or disability problem
• Children of families who have suffered severe loss from a flood or monsoon

Community member details not available yet.

Direct Impact of Your Project

For children of poor families or orphans who must travel long distances, a bicycle means the difference between attending school or not. 11 children will receive quick, reliable transportation to school and become less likely to drop out at an early age to assist with family chores or to care for siblings.

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

A bicycle turns into quick inexpensive transportation for the whole family to go to market, go to the doctor, to visit extended family, or assist with other family chores.