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Pedals for Progress Displaces Poverty With Bikes
We love our bicycles at Holstee and encourage biking whenever possible as we think it helps alleviate stress, maintain good health, and contributes to a more conscious lifestyle... besides it being one of the most pure forms of fun+freedom!
But can a bicycle change the world?Yes, it can. Over 60,000 Nicaraguans have lifted themselves out of poverty due to the 20,000+ bicycles donated by Pedals for Progress and founder David Schweidenback over the last two decades, and we are thrilled to have recently learned about this amazing organization and the tremendous pro-socio-economic effect bikes can have on a developing nation.Every year, affluent Americans buy 22 million new bicycles and discard millions of old ones, abandoning many more unused in basements, sheds, and garages. Most of these end up in our already overburdened landfills. Meanwhile, poor people overseas need cheap, non-polluting transportation to get to jobs, markets, customers, and schools. Pedals for Progress has received, processed and donated over 125,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing world countries. Pedals for Progress isn't just donating used bicycles: It's also helping developing world economies by promoting self-sustaining bicycle repair businesses. www.p4p.org
Via Nativa Jewelry
Alessandra Plasa co-owner of Via Nativa has found gems in the forests of Nicaragua.
These captivating, gracefully sculpted pieces of solidified art are adorning fingers,wrists,necklines, and homes worldwide. By combining import forces with NYC based Fair Trade organization Esperanza en Accion and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Via Nativa is emerging as an artisan boutique with trending layers of rich reclaimed wood.. must haves for home and wear. This is by no means a guilty pleasure..eco conscious and gorgeous are equal purpose in this equation.
Micro-loan: Aura Elena Gutierrez Toledo
Back in March Holstee made its first micro-loan through Kiva. Our first loan was made to Aura Elena Gutierrez Toledo, in Managua, Nicaragua. Here is a bit of background on Aura from her Kiva page:
“Aura is 48 years old, and she lives in Villa Libertad with her four children, ages 2, 5, 16 and 20. She is in the business of selling clothes and cosmetics on credit as well as for direct payment. She started her business eighteen years ago with her own money and help from her husband. With the loan she will invest in school clothes, school supplies and cosmetics. This is her sixth request. Her previous requests have greatly benefited her business as well as her personal life. With this loan she hopes to improve sales and gain more customers. Buying uniforms is a priority for students, so her short term plans are to invest more in them.”
Seeing the large smile on Aura’s face in this photo makes it hard not to want to contribute. Gaining our roots in fashion, we though our first loan would be best spent investing in the development of clothing in the developing world, while helping Aura support her family.
