100 Bikes for 100 Girls

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Thanks to all of you who supported us in 2013! We raised enough money to provide bikes to 150 girls! Thank you so much for the continued support, it means a great deal to all of the girls we support.  

We wanted to let you all know, that we have returned to the communities to visit the girls we have given bikes to, to provide them with bike pumps, tires if needed, and additional tire tubes. We hope to follow up with the girls 4 or 5 months after they receive a bike to assure that the bikes are in good working condition. This helps us make sure that the type of bikes we’ve been purchasing hold up, and an idea of the kinds of repairs they may need. So far, so good, and of course the bikes are being used by the girls and their families all the time. The photos attached are of one of our trips to see some of the girls. We brought along the bike shop owner to help us with repairs, and to provide new tires if needed. All of the girls were very happy, and have told us how they love the bikes, and how it’s easier for them to get to school, and many other great bike stories.

We wanted to share one of the girl’s stories with you. This is Men, she lives with her parents, younger brother, and grandmother in a small house built by the government. Her father is a fisherman, a hard job in Vietnam and her mom doesn’t work because she has severe epilepsy.  Men is one of the top students at her high school. She is learning to speak English, and studies very hard. She is a great example for her classmates because although she is so poor, and her living conditions are hard, she stays strong and positive and continues to work very hard.  Men and her family were very excited about her having a new bike to help her get to school safely. Her grandmother told us that the night before receiving the bike, their whole family couldn't sleep because they were so excited! The bike has helped her family in many ways, not just helping Men get to school, but also Men can now take her mom to the hospital easily on the back of her bike when she needs to.

Please know, that all of your donations have gone directly to purchasing a bike or bikes. We look forward to expanding this program in 2014 with a lot of new ideas and will keep you updated. Thank you again for supporting the girls and giving them an opportunity to own a new bike.

Best Wishes,

Sara Nerone

Links:

• Join us on Facebook
• www.rockpaperscissorschildrensfund.org