Mike Siddall, one of the trustees of Africycle, was kind enough to sit down for a little interview about the inner workings/going-ons of the Africycle machine. Enjoy!

::One of the many valuable uses for bicycles in Malawi::

Africycle is an involved process, how did it go from the idea stage to its present incarnation?

Africycle became what it is today over the past 3 years. It began with the Malawi Bike project and has evolved to what it is today as Africycle. The evolution came through a combined effort of a ton of people, and the sheer will of God. Basically, God has moved to make things happen that none of us could have ever done on our own. Over the past year and a half, Ben, Ted and myself have watched Africycle grow so fast, that we often feel we’re running behind it trying to catch up.

Explain the Hub..

The hub is a place to come and hang out. Its a place to work on bikes, learn about sweet stuff and spend time doing something good. Its the Africycle headquarters, so bikes are dropped off there, they’re repaired and sold, and we plan all of our events/fundraising there. It’s a great place where we invite the community to come and join us in making a difference!

::The Hub. Outside::

::The Hub. Inside::

You, along with the rest of the Africycle crew, just spent some time in Malawi. How was that experience on a personal level… and how was it seeing all the Africycle dreams become reality?

On a personal level, being in Malawi was incredible. We worked toward this goal for a long time before I had the chance to actually see Malawi, and it was everything I expected it to be and more! Having the chance to know the people this whole project is helping, and to be able to hear from them what Africycle means to Malawi was amazing. There is such a strong support in Zomba (Malawi) for Africycle, so many people are so stoked for what we are doing there. It was also such a wonderful experience getting to know some of the kids at the Grace Orphanage Africycle is supporting. To personally know the children whose lives are going to be affected by our work both here and in Malawi is such a privilege.

Seeing the shop in person, the day I was leaving Malawi was a super emotional moment. To have the chance to physically see what God has done around/through/in me..was such an indescribeable feeling. The feeling of joy and reverance that washed over me was truly overpowering.

::Mike Siddall in Malawi::

::The Africycle Site::

::Building the Africycle Bike Shop in Malawi::

::Fruits of Bricklaying Labour::

What is happening with Africycle in Malawi right now? I heard you have some actual paid staff members now?

Yes, we do have paid employees in Malawi. The plan with Africycle Malawi has always been to plant a seed in Malawi and let the tree bear fruit. We went this past summer to build/establish the shop, train workers and hand it off to Malawians to be their project from then on. Philip and Innocent are our two guys who run the shop in Malawi. They are both great hard working guys with a real heart for their community! Our other helpers are the 3 guards we hired to keep everything secure, and everyone safe. As well… on a part time basis, 2 of the guys from Grace Orphan care help out at the shop to make some money until the school is able to pay them.

::These fellas… along with countless others, make Africycle happen::

Explain a bit about how the Africycle “cycle” works…

The Africycle ‘cycle’ works fairly simply. In Canada we work to fundraise, collect bikes, and ship them to Malawi. Once in Malawi, the bikes are repaired, sold and the money from sales is used to employ Malawians, sustain the shop, and the rest is used to sponsor Grace Orphan Care. The idea behind the whole thing, is that once resources reach Malawi, they are used in Malawi many times over allowing that economy to grow continually from our initial injection of resources.

As we create employment, provide low cost transportation, and help to sponsor community development projects we are doing our small part to build a stronger community infrastructure for all those people with a desire for change, but lack opportunity. In short, our goal is to provide a hand up for our friends, to give them a chance to improve their own lives.

::Bicycle Collection::

What is Africycle’s greatest need?

Africycle’s greatest need is financial resources. Money…and people The more resources we have, the better equipped we are to plant more ’seeds’ in Malawi, and eventually throughout other African countries also.

::Outside the Africycle Bike Shop::

What would $10,000 mean for Africycle?

$10 000 would mean we have enough money to send our next container of bicycles to Malawi. The shipping cost per container is roughly $10 - $15000 and that is exactly what Africycle needs right now. We need to get another container of bikes to Zomba as soon as we can, because the demand for bikes at our shop there is astounding! They are selling out! The more bikes we get there soon, the more money there will be for Grace Orphan care!

What’s next for Africycle?

The next step for Africycle is getting more bikes to Zomba. Also, we are aiming to develop more of a functional bicycle sales/repair operation here in Uxbridge also. We need to be able to have a stable support system for ourselves financially, and this will be a good way to do that.

How can people contact Africycle… and how can people get involved? Do you still have sweet t-shirts for sale?

To contact Africycle, you can email us: africycle@africycle.org
Or mail us:
141 Reach St, Unit 7
Uxbridge, ON
L9P 1L3
www.africycle.org
or call 647.668.5446
We do have t-shirts availible! Email for details!

To get involved…there are so many ways! The most important right now, is people fundraising for Africycle! We need help to raise the funds necessary to continue in this mission! We need people to spread the word in their towns/cities and to organize events to raise money, and awareness about what we are doing!

::photo’s quietly taken from the Africycle facebook group, thanks, Mike::