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Scallywags Inc., located in Minneapolis, MN, demonstrates the power of personal action by incorporating a mind set of continued community action and service into their business plan. In working to improve the community and help those less fortunate get back on their feet, this company provides an inspiring model of fair trade in a global economy.
Benjo and Lisa Clark were in Rwanda to help Project Rwanda with the 1st Wooden Bike Classic in 2006.
In the spring of 2007, Joe and Chris spent a month in Rwanda training and assisting
Rwandan Mechanics in the assembly and implementation of the new coffee bikes.
Late last summer more Scallywag mechanics made their way to Rwanda to help with
the second shipment of 1,000 Coffee Bikes. That brought the total to 2,000 bikes
for the 1st year. Ikawa Coffee Co. sells high-quality Rwandan coffee from family-owned cooperatives and delivers it on the same long tail bicycles being used by the Rwandan farmers. Profits are recycled back into this chain, working towards a more just distribution of wealth – improving the livelihoods of Rwandan farmers.
 
Scallywags Bike Shop is a service to our neighborhood and community, specializing in bike maintenance and repair. A large portion of the proceeds of our shop go toward training and sending our mechanics to work alongside Rwandans who use the bike as a necessary tool for their livelihood.
Ikawa Coffee Company sells and distributes Rwandan direct trade coffee and the proceeds go toward training and sending Scallywag staff and volunteers to work alongside Rwandan farmers and coffee cooperatives.
The non-profit mothership that oversees the companies. Excerpt from their blog:
Much to tell about the trip. It was a great time for the Scallywags (Joe, Josh, Lisa, and Benjo) to check on the status of the Coffee Bike Project and get to know the Project Rwanda Board and friends. It was an action packed time with plenty of wipeouts to go around. I'm fairly certain that every one of us took a nasty spill here and there. Apparently, Tom took a 50 mph header in the race from Kigali to Butare but walked away without a scratch. |
