The Bikes for the Philippines (BfP) program was established to (1) reduce the dropout rate of school children who have to walk long distances to school, and (2) reach out to dropouts to complete a high school equivalency program.
The program started with a FB message by Joel Uichico to his cousin Jo Floro-Grant to see if she could get bike donations to send to the Philippines in 2010. After developing basic program guidelines, Jo Grant made calls to several organizations in the US and was able to establish a partnership with Bikes for the World (BFW) (www.bikesfortheworld.org), a non-profit agency in Vienna, VA. Joining the effort in the US is Joel Esguerra, a Filipino architect working in the Baltimore office of the Gensler Co. The company will be mobilizing support for bicycle donations.
The participants to the program go through an interview and training on bicycle safety and maintenance. Mentors from the community help build self-esteem and bicycle handling skills. Helmets are provided and are required to be worn. Insurance is also provided. The BfP mentoring process continues through the school system. An Advisory Council in Baclayon, Bohol, the first school to participate in the program, has been organized for program monitoring.
Donations were secured for shoes from R.O.X. and TOMS. Volunteers were recruited from the Philippines Army, local bike clubs such as Firefly Brigade and Bol-anon Cyclists, friends and family. The Philippine Navy assisted in shipping the bicycles from Manila to Bohol.
Partnerships were established with Synergeia (www.synergeia.org.ph) and Bohol Local Development Foundation (www.povertycafe.org/bldf/ ) to establish metrics to monitor the program, as well as logistical support.
Operations in are managed by local businessman, Joel Uichico.
