BIKES HAVE ARRIVED IN KENYA
MARCH 27, 2003
See Pictures Below
Kenya Children To Receive Tandem
In December 2002, RMF sent a Caylor Tandem to Nairobi, Kenya in Africa. The bike is a goodwill donation to the blind children in Nairobi. Eric met Douglas Sidialo during the Face of America ride from Ground Zero to the Pentagon in September 2002. Douglas lost his sight on August 7, 1998 as a result of the terrorist bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi. Douglas was an innocent bystander sitting at a stop light next to the embassy. Eric and Douglas developed a relationship which has been allowed to flourish because of the wonderful power of technology and the internet.
They both envisioned an opportunity to help the blind children in Africa to get on bicycles and begin to experience the world. Douglas has traveled the globe since his tragedy to teach people to learn to love and forgive. His passion for peace and reconciliation goes beyond words and flows from his living example.
The custom Caylor tandem was a generous donation from a Tuscon, AZ couple. Thank you to Pat Gibbons of Tandem Cycle Works in Denver, Colorado for tuning up the bike and packaging it for shipping.
Pictures of Eric with the tandem before it was sent.
KENYAN BLIND CHILDREN RECEIVE TANDEM DONATION.
It was joy and jubilation at Kilimani primary School in the suburbs of Nairobi on Friday 4th April 2003. The function started at 11.00 AM where children teachers and guests congregated for the presentation of the tandem bicycles the first of its kind in Africa.
In attendance:
1. Mr. Tom Ongolo Director African Union for the Blind,
2. Mr. Joseph Bukhala Blind Students Services Coordinator Kenya,
3.Julie Ogoye Teachers Service Commission (lost one eye in embassy bombing)
3. The Headmistress, Teachers and staff Kilimani Primary School.
For and on behalf of the Rush Miller Foundation Mr. Douglas Sidialo presented the flashy Tandem bicycle “ now famously know in Kenya as a bicycle limousine”. Mr. Sidialo made a plea to the school administration to put the “white man’s horse” in to proper use for the school will act as a demonstration center for the use of a tandem all across the republic of Kenya. Indeed this tandem is an asset to Kenya and Africa at large to challenged blind children in need of sports and physical exercise.
This function was conducted in some mixed fortunes. One hour before the event Mr. Sidialo was involved in a motor accident whereas the side mirror of a speeding van hit him. So he ended up with the Traffic police before proceeding to the school for the function. Amazingly he reached on time to present the donation of the tandem before he could proceed to hospital for treatment. Mr. Sidialo got three stiches on the injured face to mark the remembrance of the joyful and gloomy day.
Douglas and his brother Amp with one of the Bicycle Limousines
Pictures number one: Tom presenting white canes to the headmistress Kilimani Primary School as Mr. Douglas Sidialo holds the tandem bicycles in readiness to present it.
Picture number two: Headmistress looking on after presentation of the white canes as Mr. Sidialo hold tight on the tandem.
Picture number three: Excited teachers, children, and guests clap joyfully after the Presentation of the tandem bicycle by Douglas Sidialo on behalf of the Rush Miller Foundation, ready to fly on the bicycle limousine is a blind child and his captain.
Picture number four: Tom and Douglas Sidialo pushing the bicycle after presentation to the blind children at Kilimani.
Picture number five: Mr. Joseph Obukala Disability Service Cordinator Kenya holding the spare tyres and tubes for the tandem as teachers and children break into a joyful laughter as a blind child and his captain take off on experimental ride on the tandem.
Picture number six: Blind children having a feel of the tandem bicycle after the presentation by Dougals Sidialo in goggles center, on Douglas left is Ongolo Director Africa Union for the Blind, The Headmistress Third on the right Hand side, on the extreme left is Joseph Bukhala Blind Students Services Codinator Kenya.
Picture number seven: Kilimani Pri. School blind children holding the bike. Douglas Sidialo (center),Sports master (Nairobi Area), Tom Ong’olo – Director African Union for The Blind, Mr Bukhara – The Programme Co-ordinator and the Headmistress of the school
Picture number eight: Cheer on with happiness.