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FAQ
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The Organization

  1. Where are you based?

    While there are Project Rwanda board members and volunteers across the United States, Salinas, CA is the center of administrative activity, and Musanze, Rwanda is the Project’s in-country base of operations.

  2. Are you a religious organization?

    Project Rwanda is a registered non-profit organization that operates independently of any denomination or religious order. Team members, volunteers and sponsors come from many backgrounds including schools, businesses, churches and community groups.

  3. How many people are on staff in the U.S. and Rwanda?

    While much of the work is done by volunteers, a core staff of six to eight dedicated professionals and short-term project administrators are paid by the Project.

  4. Why did you choose Rwanda?

    A combination of great national tragedy, personal experiences in Rwanda by Tom Ritchey and others and a receptive government all contribute to making Rwanda the focus for starting work in Africa.

  5. How did Project Rwanda start?

    Tom Ritchey’s personal cycling tour of Rwanda revealed the need for reliable, low-maintenance bicycles that could transform the lives of rural residents, starting with coffee farmers.

  6. Is the Rwandan government supportive of this?

    The challenges of operating in most emerging nations are many. The Rwandan government has sought to pave the way for the Project’s acceptance and growth, but much progress still needs to be made.

  7. Is the Project connected with other non-government organizations (NGOs)?

    Collaboration with other complementary projects continues to grow, particularly as dairy farmers, rural health workers and others discover the advantages of Project Rwanda’s cargo bike.

  8. Who is on the Team Rwanda racing team?

    Profiles of the team members are found on the website, and they represent a variety of regions and personal backgrounds. Some are single, while others are primary income-providers for an extended family unit. All face the challenges of inadequate training facilities, poor nutrition and regular access to coaching and experience-building competition.

The Recipients

  1. Who decides who gets bikes?

    Bikes are purchased and owned by individuals, groups or formally-organized cooperatives. To date, availability has been limited mostly by the Project’s donation income which provides working capital to manufacture and ship bikes to Rwanda.

  2. How can they afford to buy them?

    Cash is limited, but some bike purchasers have saved over time to afford this tool. Cooperatives use pooled cash to buy one or more bikes, while micro financing (small loans) is another popular option.

  3. How much do they pay and over what period?

    In cases where a full cash purchase is not possible, micro lending from Urwego Bank and others makes bike ownership possible. Loan payments are timed to correspond with harvest times.

  4. Where do Rwandans find out about the bikes and loans?

    The informal, word-of-mouth network among farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs is powerful. In addition, work with other NGOs and lenders makes it easier and easier for Rwandans to hear – and see – the bike’s benefits.

  5. Who makes certain the bikes don't get stolen or diverted?

    Project Rwanda takes great care to responsibly manage the bike inventory and spare parts. Because the bikes are purchased, new owners take great care to keep them well-maintained and secure.

  6. What difference do the bikes really make?

    Case studies on Project Rwanda bike owners are available for review on the Project’s website. In many cases, the bike enables the owner or owners to double their income in about a year if they already are producing and marketing their own crops or milk.

  7. How many bikes have been distributed?

    Nearly 2,000 bikes are in use throughout Rwanda, with plans to double that number in short order.

The Bike

  1. Where are they made?

    The bike components are sourced globally with manufacturing currently in China and final assembly in Rwanda. In anticipation of creating job opportunities and perhaps reducing unit costs, studies have begun on manufacturing these bikes in Africa.

  2. Shouldn't the bike be a simpler, single-speed design?

    Unlike much of Africa, Rwanda is extremely mountainous and is called the “Little Switzerland of Africa” and “Land of a Thousand Hills.” The eight-speed configuration is ideal for transporting heavy loads over such rugged terrain. Durable components keep the bike functioning and the cost down.

  3. Why does the bike have all the cargo attachment points?

    While coffee farmers were some of the first to benefit from the bike, many other uses are being developed daily. The strong frame and bolt holes allow customization, even to switch from coffee to milk to carrying passengers in only a few minutes.

  4. Wouldn't it be better to ship used bikes over to Rwanda?

    The demands on a bike in Rwanda are extreme, so a standardized, purpose-built bike delivers more cargo capacity and less breakage or maintenance than other options. Project Rwanda’s bikes are like those selling in the U.S. for $1,000 or more but are put into operation at a fraction of the retail cost.

  5. Aren't there other bikes people have developed, like the bamboo ones?

    A number of passionate cyclists and engineers have designed prototypes for similar bikes, but few are suited to Rwanda or have been extensively field-tested. Smart design, competitive buying and reasonable volume allow the Project Rwanda system to deliver sustainable results.

  6. Do the bikes last on the Rwandan roads?

    With the exception of a few wear parts like brake pads, the bikes take on extreme load-carrying chores with little maintenance. With nearly 2,000 bikes on the road, there have been no reports of bent or broken frames to date.

  7. Who fixes them when they need service?

    The Project Rwanda cargo bikes open the door to a network of trained Rwanda mechanics. Providing them with tools and training is a near-term goal to create additional jobs.

  8. Why a bike and not a car or motorcycle?

    Motorized vehicles, though sometimes available, are prohibitively expensive as is fuel (more than double the U.S. price). In addition, many of the most-traveled rural roads remain largely impassible by any means except by bike or on foot.

  9. How much can the bike carry, passenger-wise?

    Carrying capacity can approach 400 lbs., allowing two adults or four children to ride without compromising the bike’s function.

  10. Can the bikes be used for other purposes, in other countries even?

    The Project Rwanda bike is already seeing use among dairy farmers, health workers, and innovative entrepreneurs. Groups in Uganda and Tanzania are using them, and many other nearby nations have opened the door to importing these proven economic development tools.

The Donations

  1. What portion of donations goes to buying bikes?

    The fully-landed cost of a Project Rwanda bike is about $300 including all personnel. As the volume of bikes increases, the potential to bring that cost down is enhanced even more.

  2. Who makes certain the money goes where it's needed?

    A Board of Directors oversees the Project including the use of funding. Also, all reporting necessary to maintain non-profit status is completed as required.

  3. Does my small donation really make any difference at all?

    Much like the daily efforts of Rwandans to improve their future can yield meaningful results, so is even small-scale giving. In many cases, friends, family members or businesses in the United States, Europe and South Africa will combine their resources to put a $300 bike within reach of a committed Rwandan.

  4. How much of my tee shirt/coffee purchase goes to the Project?

    Every effort is made to manage costs, including those associated with Project Rwanda products and donations. This, to make the most of every dollar generated.

  5. If I don't have money to donate, can I still help?

    Volunteers with skill sets needed by the Project are welcomed. Simply submit your interest and the Project’s upcoming needs will be checked against your availability and expertise. Because the Project operates at minimal staffing levels, hosting fact-finding trips in Rwanda is limited of necessity.

  6. Can I visit Rwanda to bike, see coffee farming and visit the mountain gorilla refuge?

    Project Rwanda is teaming up with several companies and groups to make it easier to experience rural Rwanda. A variety of itineraries can accommodate both novice and experienced cyclists.

  7. What kind of written report or documentation do you produce about the Project?

    The ProjectRwanda.org website contains current and relevant reports on the Project’s progress, and is available to donors and volunteers at all times.