88bikes

Moment of Happy in Patongo

From Kampala, Uganda via email today:

Dear Friends,

I am so, so pleased to write this email to you all right now.  Today, Jared and I returned from a nearly week-long excursion to Patongo in remote, Northern Uganda.  We distributed 200 bikes to some of the most heroic kids I've ever seen.  And you can rest assured that your donations have significantly altered many lives.  These children... what can I say about these children? Looking at them, you may never guess what they've been through. Many have lost one parent; some have lost both. Some are former child soldiers; others have been orphaned by disease. But every single one of these kids continues to work hard to live, to thrive and to find joy amid challenging circumstances.  And though many of them were too shy or too stunned or too gentle to give us the bursting smiles you may expect, you'd look into their eyes and you knew what a bike meant to them.

We shipped the bikes to Patango from Kampala, after a morning-long session loading the truck at a large Kampala bike shop. Getting to Patango is no easy task: a 5-hour drive north along a tarmac-crumbling highway to Gulu, then another 5 hours out through the rural north country along a rambling dirt road to the camp. Along the way, you pass literally dozens of refugee camps, all peopled with folks forced from their daily lives and their home villages by the conflict. You'll pass markers to the slain and the husks of vehicles burned only a couple of years ago by the LRA. Thankfully, Northern Uganda is peaceful now–the rebels driven away and many of the refugees finally returning to their homes.  It is a good time to give, in this region which has seen so much pain.  And a bicycle is the sort of gift that helps a person lift himself from years of struggle.

The bikes were shipped in boxes, unassambled, to keep from breaking during the arduous journey (which was nearly twice as long--maybe 20 hours--for our gigantic cargo truck). Once in Patongo our team of bike mechanics from Gulu got to work, working tirelessly for two straight days to assemble the bikes. It was quite the scene at the school--200 crank shafts, 200 frames, 400 wheels, 400 tires and thousands of spokes littering the campus. On the evening of the 2nd, the first bikes were given away.  We gave away the first 100 before darkness fell, and then started up again early the next morning.

As we gave away each bike, we asked the child what he or she wanted to be when they grew up.  We got a host of answers, from "President of the Country" to "Pilot" to "Doctor."  But the most touching response of all came from the fellow who received the very last bike we gave away.  This bike was given to a young man of about 16 years.  He had lost his parents to the war and was now heading his household, caring for his younger siblings and still going to school.  We asked him what he wanted to be, and he said: Farmer.

This fellow had no illusions about his future–he just wanted to take care of his family.  And when we gave him his bike... well, that moment, and the look on his face, and the way he put his hand on the handlebars... you just knew.  You knew that this meant more to him that he could express--or we could possibly comprehend.

Every single child who received a bike this year was present at the MOMENT of HAPPY. So you all will receive a picture of your child.  Don't be surprised if your sponsored child is not smiling; these kids have been through a lot. But look into their eyes and I think you'll see something that transcends a smile--you'll see inexpressible gratitude for a vital gift.

Thank you all so much again for making this happen. It has been an unforgettable experience this year for Jared and me. Please know that you have changed a few lives with your donations. As remote as these camps are, the children there are often overlooked and under-served.  They are especially vulnerable--and especially appreciative of such a gift. 

We will be posting pictures from Patongo soon, so please check back here at the 88bikes blog, and look for gallery links on the website. 

We wish you all a New Year full of joy, courage and heroism. 

With deepest gratitude,

Dan, Jared and Nick
88bikes

First bikes given today!

Just a quick note to share a milestone we've all been working towards. After a few (expected) hurdles, and a long morning of assembling bikes (with plenty of local help!) , the first group of the 200 bikes are being given away this afternoon in Patongo. Uganda. None of this would be possible without the many Sponsors and supporters who have helped us along the way.

In the next few weeks, we'll start posting some pictures and media online so you can get a better sense of the place, the people, and the difference we hope to make.  Internet connections in Northern Uganda are sparse and slow, so we'll need to wait for Dan and Jared to return to Kampala in a few days; but I have been able to speak with them regularly by cell phone to get updates and help with coordination.

Please note that we are continuing to accept donations and sponsorships in any amount through the same link on the website at 88bikes.com. If you know others who wanted to participate but didn't get to sponsor a bike before the holidays, or if you want to make an additional donation, now is a great time. All future donations to GYPA made through this link will go to support the bike effort at Patongo, including keeping the bikes tuned up and in good repair; paying for bike mechanics to work with the kids and show them how to maintain the bikes; spare parts; and other resources needed to make the project an ongoing success.

Patango Update - Dec 31

I received word today from Dan and Jared, and thought I'd share some of the latest news. Internet service in many of the areas where they are traveling is sparse, so I'll be posting updates as they become available.

Dan and Jared arrived safely in Uganda on the 28th as planned, and after a very short rest, they met up with our two guides ('fixers') who are working with us in  Uganda, Jimmy Otim and Joseph Kaliisa. They spent most of the day on December 29th visiting the shops where the bikes will be purchased and making arrangements. Then, on the 30th, they traveled north to Gulu, near Patango, for some planning. Here's an excerpt from an email I received from Dan today:

"Today, the 31st, we're buying 200 bikes here in Kampala, and heading up to Gulu in Northern Uganda. There, with the help of Joseph and Jimmy, we'll travel to Patango, assemble the bikes, and let the moment of happy unfold. it's been an amazing journey so far, and the kids in Patango eagerly await their bikes! "

The directors of the school and the camp have been excellent partners with us in working through the details, and setting up the project for success. Thanks again to all of those of you who supported the project, you should be proud of the positive change you are helping to make.

Best wishes for a safe and happy New Year, another update will surely follow in the days to come!