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Project OKURASE Starts Two New Job Training Programs

June 22, 2009

Pedals for Progress (P4P) has joined forces with Project OKURASE to bring two new job training programs to the village of Okurase: a sewing centre and a bike shop. It all started with a need for sewing machines. Rhion Magee found P4P and we asked for donated sewing machines. Through the good graces of P4P Ghanaian partner WeBikes, we were able to have twelve sewing machines delivered to Okurase. While this first donation has initiated the sewing program it quickly became evident that the need was much greater.

P4P had 50 sewing machines that they wanted to ship to Okurase. The shipment would include three manual foot pedal machines donated by Furniture Assist, a New Jersey nonprofit that collects used furniture which it donates to disadvantaged families in New Jersey. The foot pedal machines are much needed because they do not require electricity and we have not yet been able to attain electricity. The goods were available but the question was how to pay for the transportation costs.

This is where Joey Penman, a strong supporter of Project Okurase and the Clif Bar Family Foundation, a major supporter of Pedals for Progress, came in. They combined their efforts with Project OKURASE funds and had enough funding to ship not only the fifty sewing machines, but to allow P4P to place those machines among a full container of bicycles.   Certainly receiving an unexpected 480 bicycles in addition to the 50 sewing machines will greatly change this small village. 

The donated bikes from the New Jersey-based nonprofit will go towards creating our bike shop called "Okurase Bike Program". Those living in the village will be trained on how to make proper repairs and will sell the bikes to others in Okurase and the surrounding villages. This program will not only raise the standard of living for those in the village, but will help raise funds to build the Centre's school and job training buildings.

P4P's donation of 62 sewing machines has allowed us to open "Rhion's Sewing Centre". Women in the village will be trained in sewing by those who already sew and they will sell their clothing and products in Ghana and other countries. The women will be paid fair trade for their work and 100% of profits from selling their merchandise via Project OKURASE will help fund the Nkabom Centre for Skills Training and Formal Education. The women in Okurase will be working closely with Rhion Magee, our volunteer product designer in Los Angeles. Rhion is developing designs for Project OKURASE such as recycled market bags, clothing and other items. Women in Okurase will sew according to the designs. Then, Rhion and Project OKURASE will market the products. Although our focus is on women, men are absolutely welcome to learn to sew.

Pedals for Progress is a New Jersey-based nonprofit that is the world's largest recycler of used bicycles. Pedals for Progress has received, processed and donated over 115,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing world countries. In addition, they have built schools and saved lives.

Many thanks to Pedals for Progress, David Schweidenback, Joey Penman, and Rhion Magee for helping empower women in Ghana! This partnership is a great example of the united link. Unity is strength-----Together we can make it happen – www.aunitedlink.com.