Switzerland,17.04.2017
Velafrica - Bicycles change lives
Velafrica collects old bicycles, makes them roadworthy again and ships them to Africa. Every year over 15,000 bicycles from Switzerland are transported to the south where they help to ease people's lives.
Imagine that your water tap isn't only a few steps away, but that you need to walk several kilometres to a well. The nearest market is a day's walk away. Your children need to walk for hours to reach their school. For many people living in rural Africa, this is their everyday reality. A bicycle here will change the life of a child, a family – in fact a whole village community. Bicycles reduce poverty.
Creating opportunities in Africa
Bicycles from Switzerland help the people in Africa to access education, health care and avail themselves of economic opportunities. Anyone who has a bicycle will be able to transport much more and travel much greater distances. It leaves more time in which to learn and cultivate the fields.
Education and income
Velafrica not only transports bicycles to Africa, but also knowledge. Working with local partners, our non-profit organisation sets up bicycle workshops, holds instruction courses and trains bicycle mechanics. Jobs and income opportunities in bicycle assembly, repair and sales are created.
Benefits in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Velafrica works in partnership with social institutions that employ the unemployed and people with disabilities. Women and men in partner workshops repair bicycles and prepare them for transportation. This allows work integration placements in Switzerland to be combined with development collaboration in Africa.
How can I donate my bicycle?
You can hand over your bicycle at over 500 collection points throughout Switzerland. Choose from any of the following places:
At a railway station
You can hand over your bicycle at no charge at every baggage counter of a Swiss railway station. To do this, you'll need a transport voucher that can be ordered at no charge. Simply contact us via contact form or call us on 031 979 70 50.
Permanent collection points
You can take your bicycle to an official collection point. Do a postcode search here or bring to
HALLE 44 - Altgasse 44 - 6340 Baar
HALLE 44 - Altgasse 44 - 6340 Baar
Collection drives
You can hand over your bicycle at one of over 50 collection drives every year.
Next dates in Canton Zug will be announced soon.
Next dates in Canton Zug will be announced soon.
Collection service
We and our partners will also collect larger numbers of bicycles
Local Events
06 May 2017 - 09.00 until 11.30Dorfmattplatz Risch Rotkreuz
Dorfmatt 1
6343 Rotkreuz
Schweiz
20 May 2017
• Baar, Schulhausplatz Marktgasse, Velobörse (bicycle market), 8.00 until 15.00, Organisation: Veloclub Baar Zug (www.vcbaar-zug.ch)