Bicycles for Children in Rural Villages
In The Gambia, many children live in remote villages where schools are difficult to reach. Public transport is scarce, unreliable, and often unaffordable, forcing children to walk long distances under the scorching sun just to attend school.
The Bikes for a Safer Journey to School project provides bicycles to children and families, enabling easier, safer, and more reliable access to education and everyday activities.
Location
Kerewan Samba Sira, The Gambia
Duration
The project started in May 2025 and is ongoing.
Objective
To purchase and distribute bicycles to children and families in the community, improving access to education, mobility, and daily life opportunities.
Beneficiaries
Children, youth, and other residents of the village of Kerewan Samba Sira.
Activities
Fundraising for bicycles, procurement and distribution of bicycles to children and families, coordination with local community leaders, and follow-up support to ensure fair and effective use.
Impact
• Increased mobility and independence for children • Improved access to education for children from remote and vulnerable backgrounds • Strengthened community connectivity and long-term development
The Bicycles for Kerewan Samba Sira project was created in response to a very real need within the community. With the help of sponsors, volunteers, and many generous donors, we organize fundraising campaigns to deliver bicycles to the village—primarily for children and young people who walk long distances to school every day, often coming from remote areas far from educational institutions.
Bicycles are given to those who previously had to walk these long distances daily, often arriving at school already exhausted. Each time, some bicycles are also allocated to adults, helping them with daily tasks, commuting to work, and participating in community life.
Until now, we have delivered a total of 48 bicycles to the village of Kerewan Samba Sira.
Our next goal is to raise funds for 20 additional bicycles.
FIRST CAMPAIGN
In May 2025, with the help of heartfelt donations from our volunteers, their friends, and many kind supporters, we carried out our first bicycle campaign for the remote village of Kerewan Samba Sira. Together, we raised funds for 16 bicycles for students and 3 bicycles for adult residents.
The bicycles were mainly given to young people who walk long distances every day to attend school. Many come from villages far away from educational institutions, making their daily journey long, demanding, and time-consuming. For them, a bicycle is not just transportation—it is easier access to education, more time for learning, and greater hope for the future.
SECOND CAMPAIGN
In July 2025, some of our volunteers decided to continue this story of support. With a strong desire to help even more children reach school more easily, they raised funds for 9 new bicycles.
For many children, the journey to school spans several kilometers, often under the heat and along dusty roads. A bicycle allows them to arrive faster, safer, and with more energy—and to return home to their families sooner after school.
THIRD CAMPAIGN
In October 2025, with the support of our donors, we once again successfully raised funds for another bicycle campaign. This time, we purchased and delivered 7 additional bicycles to Kerewan Samba Sira.
Each bicycle represents a new story—a child who no longer has to walk long distances every day. It brings greater motivation to attend school, increased safety on the journey, and more joy in learning.
FOURTH CAMPAIGN
Hooray! With great joy and pride, we can share that in March 2026, with the help of dedicated volunteers and generous donors, we achieved something truly special—we raised enough funds for 14 new bicycles. Each one carries its own story of kindness, solidarity, and hope.
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, we delivered them to the village of Kerewan Samba Sira, where we were welcomed by smiles, sparkling eyes, and immense gratitude. Half of the bicycles were immediately given to female students and girls in higher grades, who walk long, demanding distances to school every day—journeys that will now be shorter, easier, and more accessible. The remaining bicycles were distributed the very next day, allowing even more children and adults to benefit from improved access to education and work.
These bicycles are more than just a means of transportation—they are a bridge to knowledge, to opportunity, and to a brighter future. They are a symbol of how a community that believes in doing good can truly change lives.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is part of this story. Every contribution, every thought, every act of support matters. Together, we are proving that even small actions can create meaningful and lasting change in the lives of children, their families, and the entire community.
With great momentum and even greater inspiration, we now move forward—launching our fifth fundraising campaign, this time for the next 20 bicycles that will make the journey to school easier for even more children and bring them closer to a brighter future.
FIFTH CAMPAIGN – ONGOING
Our work in the village of Kerewan Samba Sira continues. After all the successful initiatives so far, we would like to take another important step – to raise enough funds to purchase and transport an additional 20 bicycles.
This would allow even more children, young people, and other residents to reach school or work more easily, quickly, and safely. For many of them, the journey to education means walking several kilometers every day in the heat and along dusty paths.
To achieve this goal, we need €2,000, which will be used to purchase the bicycles and transport them to the village.
The contribution for one bicycle is €100.
So far, we have funded 5 bicycles, and we are currently 15 bicycles away from our goal (€1500 remaining).
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
Since the bicycles were delivered, the village chief has been visited daily by parents and children requesting bicycles. This clearly shows how invaluable they are within the community, as the average cost of a bicycle exceeds the financial means of most families.
Each bicycle means more than transportation:
- more time and energy for learning
- greater safety on the way to school
- the chance for a child not to give up on education due to distance
- hope for a better future
With an average cost of approximately €100 per bicycle, ownership is beyond the financial reach of most families.
WHO DOES THE PROJECT HELP?
Children and young people:
- easier, faster, and safer access to education
- reduced fatigue and fewer absences
- greater chances of continuing their education
Families:
- relief from the daily burden on children
- less concern about safety and health
Community:
- stronger education and long-term development
- increased mobility and independence
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE PROJECT?
Our work in Kerewan Samba Sira continues. After all the successful campaigns so far, we aim to take another important step—raising enough funds to purchase and transport 20 additional bicycles.
For many children, getting to school still means walking several kilometers daily in the heat and along dusty roads. With your help, we can change that.
Final goal: €2000
Raised: 500€
Every donation, regardless of the amount, represents a new opportunity.
Your contribution provides:
- easier, faster, and safer access to education
- more time and energy for learning
- the chance for children to stay in school
- hope for a better future
Donation Details
Account Name: VOLUNTEER TRAILS – THE GAMBIA
Account Number (GMD): 6240037610
Account Number (EUR): 6240037611
Swift Code: ECOCGMGMXXX
Beneficiary Bank: Ecobank Gambia Ltd.
Beneficiary Bank Address: 42 Kairaba Avenue, Serekunda – The Gambia.