Recycled bikes are gaining new life in and meaning as they’re prepared by a group of Christian school students to make the long journey to Sudan.
In southern Sudan, Cal Bombay Ministries is teaching farmers to create profitable, self-sufficient operations after decades of war ravaged the country. The bikes will be shipped in late March or April to a Savannah Farm, along with a container of parts for agricultural equipment.
Rimbey Christian School student Matthew Schwieger and his father have visited a Savannah Farm in Sudan and it was his father’s idea for the school to become involved in the project.
Savannah Farms is managed by Savannah Farmers Co-operatives. Large tracts of land are plowed and planted; the crops are then sold by SFC warehouse to relief organizations and local traders. The money is put back in the farm operations for expansion.
“They’re (Cal Bombay Ministries) helping them farm because they were at war for 20 years,” said Schwieger.
In Sudan, because of the state of the country, a barely functioning bike is worth two cows. The bikes the students are refurbishing have all working parts, and some include accessories such as baskets.
Despite the hard work and challenges that going along with the project, Schwieger and his schoolmates feel the work they’re doing is worth it, “because the people that are going to our farm (Savannah Farm) can easily get back and forth from work to their house.”