Sonadei

What's new with our Cape Verde Bicycle Organization Project?

A big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has purchased a CVBO T-Shirt or bag! We sincerely appreciate all of your help and support. Thank you.

We also want to give a big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has donated funds to our project. You have been very kind. Thank you.

Your help has allowed us to buy and ship many bicycle helmets to Cape Verde. Because of you we have been able to directly help a community of cyclists with their bicycle safety and maintenence. We have been able to start an annual race for their local community. And we have made true our promise to support positive cycling events around the world.

All is finally coming together. With your support we were able to accomplish our goals. Thank you.

Racha de Bicicleta 2009

Finally, after all the waiting, the first cross island bike race has been held on São Nicolau!

The 26km race followed the National road on the island, from its capital Vila de Ribeira Brava to the youthful fishing town of Tarrafal. From the central highlands to the ocean, the race covered all types of terrain, from steep uphills to flat coastal sections, to eye tearing downhills. The race began, SHOCKINGLY, at the exact hour set, 10am on Sunday, July 12th. With representatives from all parts of the island participating, the race crossed social and political classes. Truly this race was multi-racial, diverse event that may be the beginnings of world peace...

...more updates about the race are coming soon! For now you can read some details on Ross's Blog.

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For more then a year SONADEI has been very busy working to help raise funds for our Cape Verde Bicycle Project. Ross, our partner in the Peace Corps, has been pushing the local government hard to ensure that our bicycle race happens in July. For more background information about this project please go here.


                           Helmets were bought.                                                                 And helmets were shipped!

                                                                        Posters were posted.

                                                                        And a new road was built.

                                      Ross and SONADEI are working on new projects together, stay tuned!

Watch this page!

We will post an update again soon after the race with a full review and new images and video!

- The SONADEI Team

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Our new Cape Verde Bicycle Organization (CVBO) project allows us to support cycling across the world! The goal of our company is to help spread a positive and active lifestyle. We give back to our community by donating a portions of all our sales to the American Cancer Society, and the National Forest Foundation. Apart from these donations we have taken steps to support the growth and awareness of cycling in Cape Verde, the island Republic located off the west coast of Africa. The country consists of ten islands (and several islets) located roughly 500 miles off the coast of Senegal in Western Africa.

We are focusing our support on the island São Nicolau.

Africa Cape Verde São Nicolau

To help us with this project we have partnered with a member of the Peace Corps. Ross Guberman from New York is currently in his second year of volunteering with the Peace Corps. You can read Ross's blog here: Trials and Tribulations.

Ross "My main function as a volunteer here is working with Parque Natural Monte Gordo , one of two national parks that are being funded by the United Nations. As Peace Corp volunteers, many of us have secondary projects aside from our main work. Outside of my work for Monte Gordo, I have held English classes for my community in Cachaço, organized a children’s soccer tournament, and conducted trash cleanup campaigns in various communities. I am most excited about organizing a Bicycle Safety and Awareness event for the island."

"During a weekend, two separate bike races will be held in the two main towns of the island, Ribeira Brava and Tarrafal. These bike races will be organized and sponsored by the Camara Municpal of each conchelo (and perhaps along with other local organizations such as the Centro de Juventude and ETMA). The race in R. Brava will go from the town center to Juncilhno and back. In Tarrafal, the race will go from town center to Praia Branca and back. It is my wish that the two winners receive new bikes."

"The need for this project stems from recent bicyclists being killed by motorists and from children dieing after falling off their bikes without helmets. Further, as the prices of oil soar and it becomes more expensive to travel by public transport, the bicycle is becoming a more viable option of travel for many of the island inhabitants. Thus, it is important now to provide information about how to be safe while riding and how to maintain a bicycle."

"I hope that with the visibility of the bike races and with the monthly bike repair workshops, those who currently bike ride will be encouraged to organize together for more events, which in turn may spur more locals to take up bike riding. Further, I hope that drivers on the island will become more aware that they must share the road with bicyclists thus increasing their safety. "

Boy on a bike.

SONADEI is helping to raise money for this project by selling a unique T-Shirt design. We created this design to help raise awareness of Cape Verde and their cycling program. The image is of a Cape Verden girl riding her bicycle with their flag in the background.

Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will help in the following ways:

- Bicycle Awareness Training - Bicycle Helmets - Bicycle Tools - Patch Kits - Tubes -

"At the events, all will be welcome to signup for free bike repair workshops which will be held on the last Friday of each month (in line with Critical Mass). These classes will be taught by knowledgeable persons on the island (If enough funding is available, I would like to hold a training of trainers. A Cape Verdean with expert knowledge of bike repair from another island would be invited to teach the trainers beforehand.) Depending on funding or items donated, bike tools will be dispersed to trainers for the workshops."

"Taking into account the seasons here (Rainy season begins in July and ends in December) along with other factors, I foresee the event taking place in May 2009 in conjunction with Bicycle Month in America. Using this as a catalyst, I hope that bicycle organizations in America will be more likely to add their support for the event, supplying donations of any kind or simply helping create a dialogue with bicyclists here, giving them additional resources"

Please help us reach our goal of selling 100 shirts! This will raise enough money for hundreds of new bicycle helmets, bicycle repair classes, bicycle saftey posters, and bicycle races around two local towns!\

If you or your company would like to donate bicycle parts or supplies please contact us so we can work together.

We sincerely appreciate your support, it truly makes a difference.
- The SONADEI Team

Donate here and help support the
Cape Verde Bicycle Organization! Thank you!

Cape Verde

SONADEI is not affiliated with the Peace Corps. The funds we raise from T-Shirt sales and donations go directly to purchase materials and supplies for the Cape Verde Bicycle Organization. Ross Guberman and the Peace Corps do not recieve any portion of the Cape Verde Bicycle Organization proceeds. If you would like more information please contact us.