Every child deserves to have a bike, unfortunately not every child has the opportunity to receive one. I volunteer at an Orphanage called SOS in a rural town in Peru called Pachacamac, south of Lima and we provide a home for around 50 children. I see directly the struggles and the difficult hands in life some children are dealt but it is at its most apparent when children are left without family. The children do not often have the chance to visit places outside their immediate community or have a variety of experiences over weekends and the holidays. Most have never ridden a bike and nor do they have the means to own a bike, especially one that is suitable mode of transport. I began to envision how each childs quality of life could improve if they had more freedom to ride around the neighbourhood. My goal is to provide as many good quality second hand refurbished bikes as I can raise funds for.

I have partnered with a local bike repair shop who is generously donating time and expertise to assist in the project, we believe the approximate cost per bike is $100-$150. The area of Pachacamac is well known in the Lima area as a destination for the sport of mountain biking and there are clubs specifically for children, typically these clubs are made up of children from backgrounds of privilege, we would like to give the opportunity to the orphans of SOS to also join these bikes clubs and socialise with children from different walks of life.

I believe that riding a bike is an important skill to learn and of course gives a real sense of freedom and achievement to a child. Without this project the children I volunteer helping will grow up without the skill of being able to ride a bike.