Cycling
Have fun, learn skills and build confidence
Cycling is another way that The Red Rubber Ball Foundation supports the education and development of children in Kenya.
Our secondary school programme has shown that children are capable of achieving much with the right influences and opportunities. So we set up our first cycling club in the heart of Kibera run with our partners the professional and volunteer cyclists at Safari Simbaz.
We began at The Raila Education Centre in the Kibera slums of Nairobi in January 2017, with 15 bikes donated by Charity Bike Build, adding more bikes, plus clothing, tools, and equipment later. Around 50 boys and girls attended sessions, learning to ride and take part in rides beyond the school grounds.
The School Principal reported improved attendance, with children who were previously often absent, attending school more regularly. The club was helping children who are otherwise very susceptible to temptations of drugs, glue sniffing, alcohol, gang crime and violence, and even prostitution.
We have since expanded to support cycling clubs for boys and girls in rural schools, firstly at St Stephen’s Namasoli School and soon to be at Senator Barack Obama Secondary School.
The clubs provide an opportunity for children to have fun, learn skills, make new friends, and build confidence – personal development through physical activity.
The cycling clubs operate through a memorandum of understanding with the Board of Management at each school, which places responsibility for the safe keeping of the bikes and day-to-day management of the club with the School Principal.
RRBF provides bikes, a bike stand, toolbox, pumps, helmets, water bottles and clothing, and funds training for children and teachers provided by world class cyclist and coach David Kinjah. It means that the children have reliable mentors who teach cycling skills and bike maintenance, take the children on rides and offer personal guidance.
Safari Simbaz
The Safari Simbaz, led by one of Kenya’s most successful professional cyclists of all time David Kinjah, have already done so much with so little – they absolutely believe that anything is possible …
Just watch their inspirational short film ‘Our world is round’ which chronicles a group of sporting hopefuls in the early stages of their development.
What can I do to help?
We are looking for individuals and companies who can donate to our fund to set up cycling clubs in other schools across Kenya, or provide bike tools and equipment to teach children how to maintain and repair bikes.
So please do contact us
Remember, 100% of your donation goes directly to the source.
