Pinelands’ bicycle project help empowerment

Since 1994 Pinelands Creative Workshop (PCW) has been seeking to improve the lives of Barbadians through its Bicycle Project.

The Bicycle Project which was previously a joint project with Pedals for Progress is now a project between Bikes For The World and PCW.

Financial Executive Officer of PCW, Shelly Durant-Forde, who manages the Bicycle Project, said that when someone purchases a bicycle the proceeds are then funneled into the various social, educational and cultural programmes that the organisation runs to aid in the socio-development of the immediate and neighbouring communities.

“The money that comes in for the bicycle project is channeled into the different programmes that we deliver at the Pinelands Creative Workshop.  The project provides an opportunity to deliver varied development programmes at the community level. Funds raised from the sale of bikes are then donated to the Pinelands Creative Workshop to be able to deliver educational, social and cultural programs as well as provide relief support which was very much needed during the varied unexpected and harsh events in the last couple of years. The bike project also injects support to assist with the DEO in their disaster risk reduction efforts,” she said.

Durant-Forde who is a longstanding member of the organisation said that PCW is actively seeking to sensitise people about the advantages of purchasing their bicycles and bicycle parts and accessories from the organisation.

“When you or your loved one purchases their bicycle for BDS$300, a part of the proceeds helps a child in the community. It provides 11+ support and CSEC training; women entrepreneurs also get assistance to strengthen their business as well as necessary ICT tools and techniques to help them promote their business; children are also able to learn about their cultural heritage through dance, music and drama.

“So, when we explain this to our customers, they are amazed as they realise they are engaged in purposeful buying and that their dollar not only has a monetary but also a developmental value and it touches several lives across the length and breadth of Barbados.

“The bike project which is considered a social enterprise, has been a practical way to be sustainable but more importantly, it allows the organisation to respond to the varied social gaps,” she said.

Durant-Forde said that to date PCW has sold over 15,000 bicycles which have led to the development of young persons, not only in and around the Pine community but across Barbados over the years.

“The funds that come from this project support a number of developmental initiatives that have been implemented by the organisation that would have provided greater access to opportunities for all. There are some families that cannot afford a bicycle for a child for BDS$300.

“If there is a father that has to get a bicycle for two children and only has $300, we try to work with him to ensure that he has the two bicycles. This is why people should come to the Bicycle Project because we care, we are flexible and we understand a person’s needs,” she said.

Durant-Forde said that not only does the Bicycle Project help families in need, it also is able to employ three persons – Ronald Gamble, Stephen Grant and Natalie Sobers, as well as many other volunteers who would assist with the offloading and assembling of the bicycles when the shipment arrives in Barbados.

“We cannot talk about the bicycle project without mentioning our staff who ensures that the day-to-day operations are properly managed.

“Ronald Gamble is the technician and is responsible for assembling and ensuring everything is in order as it pertains to the bicycles; the supervisor Stephen Grant deals with sales and organising the staff, pricing, and assists with the ordering of parts and other supplies and Natalie Sobers who is part-time ensures that the bikes are clean and well-presented before collection,” she said.

Durant-Forde lamented that a lot has not changed since she inherited the managerial role but that she would invite the members of the public and private sector to continue to support the project to allow for the expansion of the activities and at the same time improve the capacity at the Bicycle Project to allow for an expanded range of products and services.

“Right now, the organisation is seeking to improve its current structure on the outside to address the need to improve the storage of the bicycles and parts, as well as improve the waiting and display area and repair centre.

“We really want to ensure those coming to make a purchase are comfortable but equally important, at the same time, we can expand to be able to strengthen the portfolio in order to continue to offer classes and other support to those who can’t help themselves or their children and turn to us, and those who are most vulnerable and marginalised.

“Understanding the dual commitment to programmatic and operational commitments that the project supports, would require us to draw on the support of our socially responsible citizens and business community who can offer materials or technical support that would assist in moving the project forward,” she said.

(Write Right PR Services)