Kelowna

For several years, Okanagan residents have been gathering up unwanted bicycles and donating them to Bicycles for Humanity.

Over 1,000 bicycles have been packed into shipping containers and sent to Ghana.

Jim Couper, of Bicycles for Humanity in Kelowna, wanted to see the impact of bicycles first hand and traveled to Ghana earlier this month.

"For those who get bicycles, the difference is monumental," says Couper.

"Kids walk five kilometres to school, as do teachers. Nurses must walk several kilometres to visit the sick. A bicycle cuts those trips from hours to minutes."

Couper says he stayed in a small town for three days and saw no more than five bikes.

"We will be shipping bikes to nurses I met at the local clinic in that town."

But there are hundreds of towns with similar needs, says Couper.

Couper says being able to see the complete picture from start to finish has clarified his understanding of the donation process.

"Here we have this pretty picture in our heads of a container of bikes being delivered to a picturesque village and everyone riding away happily. It's just so much more complicated."

Couper says while giving away free bikes seems benevolent, sometimes there has to a charge for a bike so it is appreciated and maintained.

Additionally, he says courses to teach people how to maintain and properly ride a bike may be necessary as well.

"Our need is not only for bikes, but for funds to enable us to ship them. Plus, when they arrive port duties, storage, shipping and other costs all factor in."

But seeing those who are fortunate enough to receive a bicycle makes the challenges worth it, says Couper.

"The bikes from Kelowna are like a snowflake in a winter sky. If you get enough snowflakes you can make a snow angel."