Prodigal Bikes started in 2016. We are based near Crewkerne, South Somerset in the UK. We have two separate, yet very much linked, goals.
Our first goal is to supply, free of charge, refurbished bikes and the spares and tools needed to keep them running, to people here in the UK or in rural Africa. The bikes enhance their lives through improving access to education, healthcare, trade and employment. These things are often a long walk away, as affordable transportation is not otherwise available. We work with South Somerset based charity – the Akamba Aid Fund to distribute our bikes in Kitui County, Kenya, and West-Dorset based Hooke Court in Malawi who distribute our bikes in Malawi. In Eldoret, western Kenya, we are work with three small charities, The Integrated Community Resource Group, Langas Gorofani Luo and AGBEL In Tanzania we work with the Community Support Mission supplying schools in the coastal Kibaha region.
The second goal is to train people in the South Somerset area with backgrounds in offending, long-term unemployment, exclusion from school or with Special Needs in basic hands-on engineering. This can help and inspire them towards further training and employment in areas such as Automotive, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering as well as in the cycle trade. Taking people away from re-offending and helping them towards self-sustaining lives, with rewarding fulfilling employment, is proven to reduce crime in our communities.
We do this by providing training, then working together at our South Somerset workshop, refurbishing the bikes that we send to people here in the UK or out to Africa. This work gives a huge boost and sense of fulfilment to our students, knowing their work will really benefit someone. Working with us will also provide real evidence to potential employers of the talent and commitment we find in our volunteers, further helping them back towards employment.
Any UK organisations wishing to refer people to come and volunteer with us, please get in touch via the contact section.
For any African charities looking to apply to us for bikes, we are very sorry, but we are fully committed for deliveries for the foreseeable future.
Have a look at our blog to keep up to date with our latest news.
