BEN NAMIBIA: GROWING, GROWING, GROWING

TWO NEW BICYCLE EMPOWERMENT CENTRES OPEN
Five formerly unemployed women, along with a group of former street children will open two new Bicycle Empowerment Centres (BEC) in March.

Through donations from our international partner – Bicycles for Humanity, each project is supplied with a shipping container loaded with around 300 bicycles, spare parts and tools. Through small business and bicycle mechanical training, the women and former street children are gaining valuable skills that will help them run the bicycle workshops.

With dramatic results already witnessed at other BEC locations set up through the BEN Namibia and Bicycles for Humanity partnership, the new BECs in the communities of Katutura and Otjiwarongo are the 10th and 11th to open.

Help create jobs, provide skills training and change lives of everyday Africans by supporting a Bicycle Empowerment Centre. Donate now!

AMBULANCE PROJECT GOES CONTINENTAL
Bicycle ambulances are now rolling throughout southern Africa, with several soon to roll out in rural Angola. The BEN Namibia design has also been replicated in Zambia.

Essentially a stretcher on wheels, the bicycle ambulance is hooked behind a bicycle and used by healthcare volunteers who transport the sick, pregnant and people living with HIV/AIDS to receive treatment.

With 106 bicycle ambulances already delivered to communities across Namibia, most through support from Canadian Rotary Clubs and Design for Development, the bicycle ambulance project is easing the burden of rural people in need of emergency transport across the country and the continent.

Learn more about the ambulance project.

MEET A TEAM BENN CYCLIST: COSTA SEIBEB
As the most recent addition to Team BEN Namibia Junior, 15-year-old Costa Seibeb stormed to victory in his first race wearing the BEN Namibia colours.

Costa grabbed first place among a field of 474 riders competing in the 35km Nedbank Cycle Challenge, a race known as the official kick off to the Namibian cycling season.

As a part of Team BEN Namibia Junior, Costa’s racing fees are covered, he is provided with a bike and he receives professional coaching.

But apart from joining a team of riders who are striving for cycling success both nationally and internationally, Team BEN Namibia also promotes HIV awareness and encouraging people to take part in sport as a way to avoid engaging in risky behaviour.  

A recent Team campaigned launch at the coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund saw HIV testing increase by more than 500% compared with usual numbers at local New Start Testing Centres.

Support an aspiring cyclist! Donate to BEN Namibia today.