Yanet Leon Vidal is a vocational training teacher at the San Luis school. In June, she received a bicycle, an object that significantly changed her life. For her, a bike represents more than a simple mode of transportation : it eases her daily life. “For me, a bike is as essential as feet are. It is important to go to work, to bring the children to school and even to go to the clinic. A thank you is not enough to express our gratitude, considering all the people who’s life is changed by this project.”
Ibrahim Tanko has been a bike mechanic for the past 15 years. He has repaired several bikes. The project has been beneficial because it has allowed for an important economic and social development in the region. ‘’People can now go to work and go to school easily because they have access to bikes. It also allows them to save their money.’’
Yelaine works at the Raul Suarez Martinez school. She had to walk 2 km to go to school since she lives in a remote area. Her young son’s asthma condition made the walk much more difficult. “Since I have a bike, everything has changed. I can bring my son to the hospital and to school.”
Yarasay is a teacher at the Raul Suarez Martinez school. She had to walk a long distance to accomplish her daily tasks. “The bicycle has been of great utility for me. Before, I had to walk everywhere and I would be exhausted. Biking now allows me to work and study.”
Andres Olivera is an architecture teacher at the Central University “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas and is Coordinator of the Habitat 2 project, which aims at improving the quality of life of communities in need. In these communities he identified a major problem: the issue of mobility. “A solution to improve mobility is the bicycle, but not all those who are in need of a bike, have one. This is why we continue collaborating with the organization Cyclo Nord-Sud. With their help, we have already received close to 1200 bikes, offering a real solution for these vulnerable communities.”
Nathalie Brière has worked in international solidarity and is passionate about nature. She loves bike touring and cycling, as she feels in harmony with nature. Using a bicycle gives her the freedom to make her own route and to discover new places and people as she goes. ”During my first bike touring trip, I went to the Parc de la Pointe-Taillon. I felt like I was almost at world’s end, having the world before me. I would say it’s freedom. This is the best way to visit a country and observe nature.”
Anthony is a student and hopes to, one day, become a teacher. He had been dreaming of having a bicycle to help him move and go to school for a long time. Every night, he prayed to receive a bike. One day, that dream became a reality: “I was praying and one day, I met a man who told me he liked my attitude. He said he wanted to offer me a bike. On Monday, I went to pick up my bike and they adjusted a few elements. I got to bring it home with me that night. I remember everything, I am so happy.”
Alfredo Perez de la Cruz is a teacher and representative of the Central University ‘’Las Villas’’ in the Quemado de Guines municipality. He has been involved in the Habitat project for past two years. ‘’One of the major problems in the area is the lack of urban transportation. This is why the bike is a necessary and efficient tool, for citizens rely on it to go to work and to school. This vulnerable community has been greatly touched by Cyclo Nord-Sud’s bike project.’’
Ama Baka is a merchant and a mother. The bicycle allows her children to go to schoo and to get the necessary medicine and drinking water. Because her health is fragile, the bicycle is the ideal solution that helps her face daily challenges. “I thank Cyclo Nord-Sud for this opportunity.”
Alan Dickson worked as an industrial mechanic for the past 35 years. Two years ago, he retired and found that he had a lot of spare time. One day, he was cleaning out the garden shed and found a few bikes he wanted to make use of and that is how he found Cyclo Nord-Sud. Ever since, he has been volunteering at the organization. “We are doing something I believe is important for people less fortunate than most of North Americans.’’
Sister Ninive Charles is the principal of the Thibeau school of the Sainte-Croix congregation in Haiti. Missionary, she works in a particularly vulnerable region where employment is scarce and children must walk up to two hours to go to school. Sister Ninive Charles offers the bikes to children who live very far away, and she confides that they regularly show gratitude. “Thanks to this bicycle project, children arrive on time to school. Education is liberating. We are forming honest citizens, not only for Haiti, but for the world. This project is drastically helping our community.”