Share the Ride: How your Donations and BMX's are Changing Lives in South Africa
I was contacted by PB to help make a Share the Ride distribution happen in SA and straight away I recommended working with Songo.info. Based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, Songo is a non profit organisation that runs social development programs that help kids learn key values by participating in sporting programs. The organisation was started when Songo Fipiza met Christoph Sauser, a world champion mountian biker. Christoph saw how tirelessly Songo worked in the community to help local kids achieve their goals and with him wanting to help, they created Songo.info.
When we reached out to Songo, they were keen to get some more BMX bikes, so the younger children would have a chance to learn how to ride and race BMX. With the help of Cycle Fusion we were able to purchase eight Free Agent Champ BMX bikes for the kids at Songo to use.
I visited the organisation to see how the bikes were being enjoyed and spoke with Songo, the man himself.
How did the organisation start?
SF: The organisation started after I have seen how much impact the sport had on my life. I rode the very 1st Absa Cape Epic and it opened up my eyes into new ventures. In 2008 Christoph and I we started the songo.info. We started with a BMX program in 2008 just by building a BMX track and both 30 BMX bikes for the kids from the age of 5 to 14 year old.
How have you seen growth in the organisation since those early days?
SF: When we started most of the kids couldn't even ride a bike. In 2009 we introduced the MTB to the kids that were 14 years and older. There are lots of kids that have taken up cycling as a sport and have taken part on the international and local events.
How is Songo.info helping kids in the community specifically?
SF: The program has helped lots of kids to stay out of trouble like using drugs.
What does a gift like these BMX bikes mean for these kids? How will it effect their future?
SF: The new bikes are now making it easy for us to take more kids on the program. They will also help them to grow up confidently and create lots of opportunities in life and in sport.
What will they be doing with these BMX Bikes?
SF: They will be training and racing with the new bikes.
What other programs are going on and how can people get involved locally?
SF: We've got a MTB bike program and an after school program where the kids are being helped with their school work. We need lots of support for the kids in the form of tutors for Maths, Physical Science and Accounting.
To learn more about Songo.info, or to find out how you can help visit: www.songo.info.
pinkbike.com/sharetheride
MENTIONS: @esphotography
When we reached out to Songo, they were keen to get some more BMX bikes, so the younger children would have a chance to learn how to ride and race BMX. With the help of Cycle Fusion we were able to purchase eight Free Agent Champ BMX bikes for the kids at Songo to use.
I visited the organisation to see how the bikes were being enjoyed and spoke with Songo, the man himself.
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 The Home of Songo.info. |
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| Some final adjustments before the kids go out on the track. |
How did the organisation start?SF: The organisation started after I have seen how much impact the sport had on my life. I rode the very 1st Absa Cape Epic and it opened up my eyes into new ventures. In 2008 Christoph and I we started the songo.info. We started with a BMX program in 2008 just by building a BMX track and both 30 BMX bikes for the kids from the age of 5 to 14 year old.
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| 8 proud owners of their new rides. Who knows what could come from this simple gesture. |
How have you seen growth in the organisation since those early days?SF: When we started most of the kids couldn't even ride a bike. In 2009 we introduced the MTB to the kids that were 14 years and older. There are lots of kids that have taken up cycling as a sport and have taken part on the international and local events.
 |
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| The track right outside the Songo building provides the perfect opportunity for these youngsters to ride as much possible. |
How is Songo.info helping kids in the community specifically?SF: The program has helped lots of kids to stay out of trouble like using drugs.
 |
 |
 |
 |
What does a gift like these BMX bikes mean for these kids? How will it effect their future?SF: The new bikes are now making it easy for us to take more kids on the program. They will also help them to grow up confidently and create lots of opportunities in life and in sport.
 |
 |
 |
What will they be doing with these BMX Bikes?SF: They will be training and racing with the new bikes.
 |
 |
 |
 |
What other programs are going on and how can people get involved locally?SF: We've got a MTB bike program and an after school program where the kids are being helped with their school work. We need lots of support for the kids in the form of tutors for Maths, Physical Science and Accounting.
 |
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 |
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| Songo Fipaza - the man behind it all. |
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To learn more about Songo.info, or to find out how you can help visit: www.songo.info.
pinkbike.com/sharetheride
MENTIONS: @esphotography
Author Info:
Member since Dec 20, 2011
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Just one bit of advise, helmets need to be worn correctly if you want them to be safe. This way many of them might aswell take their helmets off because this is not going to help anything.