The Bike

Picture shows Lyndsey (John in Lusangazi's) wife getting her bicycle as part of a new microcredit scheme for staff. 5 people are getting bicycles on an interest free loan to enable them to travel to and from work. Joseph, in Lusangazi was thrilled with his bike - until now he was leaving home at 5.30 to walk 2.5 hours to get to work - now is journey is reduced to about 40minutes!

On Saturday at 2 John and Lyndsey were in the Market in Mzuzu on their bicycles looking thrilled with their new wheels. John works till 12, so until now a Saturday family trip to the market would have been unthinkable owing to the sheer distance involved.

The new bikes cost 15000 Kwacha which equates to 75 Euro. The repayment comes from their wages at a rate of 1000 kw per month, so they should own the bikes in 15 months, enabling them to own an asset for the first time.
Lindsey is 18, newly married to another of our workers John, 22, has just finished Secondary school and is one of our most promising teachers in Áras Kate.