Going Places with Qhubeka
Carry this bag to show your support!
As part of its Good Business Journey, Woolworths is proud to support initiatives like Qhubeka. Through partnerships with customers and organisations like Qhubeka, Woolworths is increasing awareness of the social issues in South Africa, while actively supporting social upliftment projects in South Africa. Through the sale of each bag, Woolworths donates R10 to Qhubeka.
What is Qhubeka?
Qhubeka is a charity that moves people forward with bicycles. It takes its name from an Nguni word that means “to progress”, “to move forward”.
People earn bicycles through Qhubeka’s programmes, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs. With a bicycle, a person can travel further, faster, and carry more.
About Qhubeka
Qhubeka helps people move forward and progress by giving bicycles in return for work done to improve communities, the environment or academic results. Having a bicycle changes lives by increasing the distance people can travel, what they can carry, where they can go and how fast they can get there.
We are World Bicycle Relief’s programme in South Africa. World Bicycle Relief is a non-prot organisation transforming individuals and communities through The Power of Bicycles. We accomplish this mission by designing, sourcing and manufacturing bicycles created to withstand rough terrain and load requirements while meeting the needs of students, healthcare workers, farmers and entrepreneurs.
We strengthen local economies and promote long-term sustainability by assembling bicycles locally, training mechanics, improving the spare parts supply chain, and providing high-quality, aordable bicycles to people in need of transportation.
Why Bicycles?
Qhubeka believes that bicycles change lives.
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For every 16km travelled, a bicycle saves three hours of valuable time (when compared to walking the same distance)
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A person riding a bicycle can travel four times the same distance as if he or she were walking
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With a bicycle, a person’s carrying capacity is increased by fives times
Bicycles help people to get where they need to go, and to do things that are difficult without transport. This includes fetching supplies, travelling to school or work, visiting a clinic, or providing emergency help after a disaster.
How does Qhubeka work?
Qhubeka runs five main types of programmes around South Africa:
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Work-to-earn programmes
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Learn-to-earn programmes
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Sports programmes
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Health programmes
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Disaster relief programmes
Qhubeka beneficiaries include:
Schoolchildren: Schoolchildren earn Qhubeka Bicycles by committing to improve their school attendance. Bicycles make it easier and faster to get to school.
Adults: Adults earn Qhubeka bicycles in many ways, from growing trees to recycling waste, making crafts, volunteering with a community policing forum, or servicing bicycles.
Disaster relief first responders: Qhubeka provides bicycles for first responders following a disaster. Bicycles can be used to transport life-saving services and gear.
How will your support help?
Funds raised through the purchase of these bags will go towards bicycles for people who are part of Qhubeka’s programmes.
Every Qhubeka Bicycle distributed changes an average of five people’s lives.
By helping Qhubeka to fund more bicycles, you can help more people to access transport, which opens up a world of opportunities.
What is Qhubeka’s impact?
Qhubeka was founded in 2005 and has distributed more than 80 000 bicycles to date.
Qhubeka’s ultimate goal is to change a million people’s lives with bicycles.
Our campaign leaders and supporters
Qhubeka’s leadership team includes:
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Sarah F. PHAWENI – Qhubeka Executive Director
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Anthony A. FITZHENRY – Qhubeka Founder
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Craig BRUNSDEN – Qhubeka Non-Executive Director
All Qhubeka’s work into communities is facilitated through local implementation partners, and through public / private / community partnerships.
How to offer further support
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Buy a bag and share the message! For every 285 bags sold, Qhubeka is able to change another person’s life for good with a bicycle.
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Qhubeka is a registered MySchool charity. People can make Qhubeka their charity of choice, which allows them to support Qhubeka each time they shop at a MySchool partner.
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Corporate partners who are interested in partnering with Qhubeka should contact Qhubeka to find out more about opportunities in:
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Socio-economic development
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Supplier and enterprise development
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Skills development
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Other corporate social investment requirements
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Donate to or fundraise for Qhubeka. To find out more, visit the Qhubeka website.
MEDIA & OTHER LINKS
For more info on the Bags4good project, go to:
Bags 4 Good