This old proverb is the spirit behind Pedals for Progress. While there are many tremendous and deserving charitable organizations that provide for the daily needs of the world's poor, Pedals for Progress takes a much longer-term view.The aim is to break the cycle of poverty by increasing access to jobs, health care and education in the developing world.From its humble beginnings in 1991, Pedals for Progress has become a significant force for economic development in several countries.
Last year, over 11,000 bikes were shipped to 13 countries around the world.
According to a recent study, the recipients of bikes from Pedals for Progress in Nicaragua were able to achieve an astounding 14.1 percent increase in income in the first week alone due to their increased mobility.
In Ghana, health-care workers are now able to provide needed services on a more frequent basis to remote villages.
In Panama and El Salvador, hundreds of youth are being trained in the basics of bike mechanics.
These young people return to their villages and can more readily find employment. Some even start their own businesses.
Indiana Midday Rotary is an active participant in the Pedals for Progress program. In October 2004 we held our fourth annual collection.
Indiana Midday Rotary's program is responsible for collecting for more than 120 bikes and more than $1,000 in donations to ship these bicycles overseas.
The bulk of our most recent collection was shipped to Ghana in early December.
Thank you to the people in Indiana who offered their unwanted bicycles and gave monetary donations to this wonderful program.
Thank you to PNC Bank for allowing us to process and store the bikes at their downtown Philadelphia Street office.
Thank you to WDAD radio station for the incredible publicity given to this project. Thank you to Bill Hastings of The Indiana Gazette for announcing our event.
We at Indiana Midday Rotary look forward to continuing our affiliation with Pedals for Progress. We recognize our success is based upon the involvement of this community.
Thank you for helping to make this program a great success. And please remember, as you upgrade your bicycles to start looking for us in early September because we will be there again.
Anne Sorrentino Hoover
Diane Onuscheck
Indiana Midday Rotary
