Such lovely people!

Contribution By: 

Aan De Doorns Guesthouse  

One of the great things about running a guesthouse, almost a “perk” that comes with the job, is the great people that one meets. At our guesthouse Hotel Pension Moni in Windhoek, Namibia we have made friends for life with some of the people that stayed with us. Most of the time they are impressed by our country and the people of the South and often I hear them say they wish they could contribute or assist in making a difference…  Life carries on and as they return home the best of their intensions fade with the memories of their holiday, heaven knows I’ve experienced it myself.

But and this is a ‘good” but there are a few people that make good on their intentions and make things happen with simple ideas that grow into making a big impact! Staying with us early November where four “volunteers” that travel the country in the name of BEN (Bicycling Empowerment Network), helping kids to know more about road safety and bicycle maintenance.  “The main mission of BEN is to address poverty and mobility through the promotion of the bicycle in all its forms. BEN imports used bicycles from Europe, and distribute them to low income areas, trains recipients of the bikes in safety and maintenance, establishes Bicycle Empowerment Centre's (BEC's) and encourages cities to implement bicycle planning and infrastructure.” ( quoted from the BEN website )

This organization and the people that work toward accomplishing their goal have had a major impact in local rural communities especially mobilizing kids to get to schools. I was humbled by Lynn  (Lynn Streit  - from Chicago), Mr Bean (Vivan Bean ); Fago  ( Fagodien Campher ) and Louis ( Louis de Waal -  “Oom” or “ Uncle” Louis ) and their enthusiasm and honest concern for the kids. This charitable idea has grown throughout Southern Africa and thousands of bikes have been distributed and people have been trained to be safe and use their new found mobility toward building themselves a better future. There are a few farm schools in our area and all of them have benefitted from BEN.

In the evening I would cook dinner and they would sit and discuss their day and the kids and teachers they interacted with and the mixed reactions they received. It seems that even charity is at the mercy of people’s perception and on the” turf terms”, interesting? I want to take the opportunity to thank the BEN volunteers for coming from afar to make a difference in my community what lovely people they are and what a great example to make good on intentions!