Seward Bike Shop Thailand Edition
The Situation:
Civil war in Myanmar has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee. Many have escaped to Thailand, fearing for their safety or avoiding mandatory military service. Now residing in Thailand at boarding school, they struggle with employment barriers such as transportation and marketable skills. Often the students have old, non-functioning bikes, but lack the tools and parts to get them functional again.
The Plan:
Establish basic but functional and stocked bicycle repair stations at refugee boarding schools on the Thailand / Burma boarder.
The Seward Bike Shop is partnering with a local non-profit to raise donations to purchase tools, repair stands, brake pads, chains, tires, and (dreaming big here) a new bike or two. Last year, the bikes repaired were in such poor condition I'm surprised the students and I got them working. This year, I'm sure a couple will need replacement.
A free-of-charge multi-day workshop teaches students about basic maintenance, tool identification and function, component replacement, and the common compatibility issues.
The Seward Bike Shop will cover out-of-pocket costs of getting mechanic(s) to Mae Sot, Thailand. Traveling by bicycle, The SBS employees demonstrate to students exactly what bicycles make possible: inexpensive transportation, hauling products to market, and getting to work on time.
All donations are made through the 501(c)(3), preferably not to the bike shop. At the bottom, you’ll find a donation link for the organization we are partnering with, Lost and Found Ministries of Seward, Alaska, and Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The classes are 100% about bicycle maintenance, repair, and business operation. 100% of funds raised will go towards the costs of the workshop. All tools and parts purchased will be left at the school, at no charge to them. Last year the school provided us a meal which was the simplest, most appreciated, and most often remembered of my time in Thailand. Other than that, the school does not provide any compensation.
