PEDDLING FOR EDUCATION: RICHARD'S JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

A bike today, bright future tomorrow, Richard stands ready for the journey.

At Choma Community Day Secondary School in Mzimba north, Richard Manda, a Form 3 student, is breaking barriers and defying the long distances that once hindered his education.

At 18, Richard used to endure a two hour walk every morning to get to school. The exhausting journey often caused him to miss morning classes, negatively impacting his academic performance.

But a game changing shift came with Ulalo's Bike Rental Initiative, which provided Richard with a bike. Now, the once daunting journey is reduced to just 40 minutes, enabling him to arrive on time and stay engaged in his lessons.

"I used to miss morning classes a lot, and that affected my grades," Richard shared. "But with the bike, I don’t miss classes anymore, and my performance has greatly improved!"

This initiative, now being implemented in seven schools in Mzimba North, is transforming the daily commute for students facing similar challenges.

In collaboration with partners such as Chancen durch Bildung (CDB), World Bicycle Relief, and Buffalo Bikes, Ulalo is ensuring that distance is no longer a barrier to education.

The initiative is helping students like Richard reach their full potential, with every ride offering hope and the opportunity for a brighter future.