Bikes for life, North & East Sri Lanka, 2011/2012

Since its beginnings, IODR has already positively affected thousands of families through a series of monthly donations, including bicycles, school supplies, household items and sports equipment. These items were identified by IODR as having the most positive impact on lives in a short period of time. These donations continue on a monthly basis throughout the year.

The Bike for Life campaign, assisted by Kumar Sangakkara, former captain of the Sri Lanka National Cricket team, has set out to donate 1,500 bicycles for children living in the rural areas surrounding Kilinochchi, Mankulam and Mullativu in the war ravaged North and East of Sri Lanka. These bicycles were manufactured especially for the campaign. Taking up to 3 passengers at a time, it enables a family to take their children to school, as well as continuing with their day to day tasks. The children thereby obtain the education necessary to free them from what might otherwise be a cycle of hardship and poverty.

Why bikes?
Simple! With no means of transport, children were walking up to 8km to get to school. One of our bicycles provides countless benefits to a rural community member’s life, allowing them access to employment, markets for the sale and purchase of goods, water and food sources. Crucially, for thousands of rural children, the ownership of a bike is the key to a life-transforming education. Without transport many children are unable to attend school and remain trapped in a cruel cycle of poverty. We can change all this and help children and their families to rebuild their lives.

Sponsor for a bike and help a family transform their lives?