Interview with Molly Burke, Executive Director, Bicycles Against Poverty

Is it possible to encourage peace in Africa?

At any given moment most of the countries in Africa are living peacefully.

Though the continent has experienced varying degrees of disputes across the vast continent, this should not undermine the ability for the countries to thrive in peaceful environments.

With that being said, yes, not only is it possible to encourage peace but it is, of course, possible to experience peace in African countries.

My experience is largely limited to Uganda, specifically Gulu in Northern Uganda.

Gulu served as the focal point during the most recent Ugandan civil war (1986 to 2005).

I co-founded and currently run Bicycles Against Poverty (BAP) in this region.

Quick summary – BAP loans bicycles to rural farmers on a financing plan – click here for the website.

In short what we’ve seen is this: a region that is unequivocally – and effectively – working to rebuild a community from a two decade civil war.

Bicycles Against Poverty loans bicycles to rural farmers on a financing plan.

Since the rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), left in 2005 the region has experienced peace.

The resiliency of this region is beyond impressive. However, emotional and psychological rehabilitation efforts continue and remain much-needed.

Nevertheless, Gulu is able to thrive peacefully.

What are you doing to encourage peace in Africa?

Getting farmers greater access to affordable transportation, of course!

Stronger economies lead to more peaceful regions.

So how is our team working on addressing that?

When rural communities are cut off they end up becoming stuck – both literally as well as stuck in poverty. Bicycles, as affordable transportation, gets them out of this situation.

The organization I run, BAP, loans bicycles to rural farmers who use the bikes to gain access to markets for trading, clean water, schools, and healthcare. It’s simple: Mobility leads to upward mobility; access connects individuals to opportunities; transportation allows households to participate in commerce and build healthier communities.

It’s simple: mobility leads to upward mobility; access connects individuals to opportunities.

When rural communities are cut off they end up becoming stuck—both literally as well as stuck in poverty.

Affordable transportation gets them out of this situation and bicycles are a means to that.

Bicycles are extraordinarily powerful tools for household economic growth—improving income at least 30% and market access by 180%.

We take them for granted in the U.S., but in communities like Gulu bicycles are complete game-changers.

Bicycles Against Poverty provides the bicycles on a financing plan so that farmers pay us back through a one year loan.

The payback period makes for a more sustainable operation and simultaneously works with communities to show that incremental savings can lead to big-time purchases, such as a bicycle. One of the most interesting things that I noticed when we began our work was that, while bicycles’ main impact is its ability to improve financial standing, its benefits far extend this impact area.

Building strong relationships and engaging in cross community dialogues is an integral part of rebuilding communities after war as well as simultaneously maintaining peace.

I was most struck by individuals’ motivation to use the bicycle for communication as well as social or cultural engagements.

We found that families were starved for “social capital” opportunities – in other words, they wanted to hang out or cook dinner together, but if they lived in different towns and lacked transportation it would be difficult to accomplish this. Building strong relationships and engaging in cross community dialogues, even within families, is another integral part to rebuilding communities after war and simultaneously maintaining peace.

What can others do to encourage peace in Africa?

Support a diverse range of solutions, including promoting financial inclusion, market access, and community development.

I personally feel strongly about the need to encourage both economic and community development approaches.

Access to capital and access to markets are critical components to economic development.

 Stronger economies are prerequisites to sustainable peace.

We don’t expect our businesses to be able to grow without investments of capital so how can we expect a household in Uganda to do the same?

Access to financial services and opportunities to engage in market activities lead to stronger economies and healthier communities.

Stronger economies are prerequisites to sustainable peace.

Let’s be proactive and continue to support diverse solutions to sustainable peace, including investing in stronger economies.