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The Paul Sherwen - Skills Empowerment Centre - 1, 2, 3 The Skills Empowerment Centre (SEC) is about teamwork and developing world-class cyclists and humanitarians who make a difference every day to the lives of so many in need. Pat Montani started working on this initiative with Paul Sherwen (Tour de France) and Bicycles for Humanity, before Paul suddenly passed away in 2018, at his home in Uganda. We continue to honour Paul, his legacy and efforts, to empower African cyclists, by remaining committed to this initiative. Bicycles for Humanity (www.bicycles-for-humanity.org) is a global, grassroots, volunteer movement that has sent over 160,000 bicycles to Africa in support of education, healthcare, and helping people create better lives, since 2005. Bicycles CAN CHANGE LIVES! The founders of Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) are Pat and Brenda Montani, who soon after starting B4H, were joined by the late Paul Sherwen (voice of the Tour de France with Phil Liggett for over 33 years). 1) YOUR BIKE STORE or CYCLING CLUB YOU collect 10-12 high-quality, used road or mountain bikes, and following our template and guide, get a pallet/skid of these bikes and equipment ready to ship to our designated East African Partner. Young and eager cyclists in our partner group do not have the necessary gear to train - and become African Champions. Your group would put used shoes, gloves, helmets, jerseys, components - ALL of the equipment that you have replaced with new gear, that could be golden to a young East African cyclist - in this kit (SEC). AND there would be a Commitment to Leadership from the recipient rider; therefore, benefiting the local community in countless ways, as outlined below in the African Cycling Partner’s Role. 2) Bicycles for Humanity - CONNECTIONS READY TO ROLL Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) has grown internationally over the last 15 years, primarily rooted in Canada, Uganda, and Australia. B4H has established, on-the-ground cycling leaders waiting in East Africa, to accept a pallet of 10-12 bikes and equipment and get them to an eager and willing group of young cyclists. WE HAVE THE PARTNERS TO PUT THE WHEELS IN MOTION IN EAST AFRICA ASAP. 3) AFRICAN CYCLING PARTNER Our East African Cycling Partners are experienced and dedicated cyclists and community leaders, like Ismael Sssebayigga www.facebook.com/lance.ayattolah, in Kampala, Uganda. Ismael rode professionally as a mountain biker on the Ugandan Team for years, and is now coaching and encouraging local youth to develop their cycling skills and talents. Similarly, African cycling legend David Kinjah, in Nairobi, Kenya, leads Safari Simbaz www.safarisimbaz.com - who mentored no other than Chris Froome as a young and hopeful rider! Serious leaders and serious young riders JUST NEED the equipment that we can provide. One of the keys to the SEC program on the African side is that the bikes will be a part of Community Leadership Initiatives. The bikes will be stored at the end of each day in a secure team location, and to maintain the privilege of using a good bike and training with the Cycling Team, the young cyclist will need to demonstrate leadership skills by engaging in their community service hours each week, in the form of sharing iEmpowerment digital resources, educational health care flyers, or working to help keep the community clean (i.e. by leading community environmental initiatives). One of the amazing resources our B4H community provides these riders with is the b4h-cycling-academy.com.The SEC program will help to grow African Champions, both in the community, AND in the professional cycling world! Let’s do this together! Amazing opportunities and experiences for ALL involved! REPURPOSING BIKES & OLD GEAR, AWESOME INTERNATIONAL CYLING CONNECTIONS, BEING A PART OF POSITIVE CHANGE IN CAPABLE AND EAGER YOUNG AFRICAN LIVES. For more information and to join the program please contact: Toronto (GTA), Canada - Leigh McCarthy [email protected] International Interest - Pat Montani [email protected] 604-902-3452/WhatsApp 6049023452
