In August, the charitable organization 88bikes donated 250 brand new bicycles to the women and children at AFESIP centers in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampong Cham province. The founders, Mr. Dan and Jared Austin, visited AFESIP in June and agreed to provide second-hand (used) and new bikes purchased locally in Cambodia and construct two bike shelters at Siem Reap and Tom Dy centers. 88bikes aims to provide a sustainable, joyful, empowering form of transportation to young people in developing countries, especially in locations where children have faced severe challenges due to war, conflict, poverty, disease, or other regional hardships.

Reintegrated women and local village children in Kampong Cham were also beneficiaries of the bike endowment. Ms. Lesley Matthews, a volunteer for 88bikes, helped facilitate the purchase and distribution of the bikes.

After receiving the new bikes, Ms. Lesley led each center on a 3km inaugural ride to celebrate and provided bike clinic training to residents and children.
The women at the Siem Reap Center were so excited about their new bikes they extended their bike ride—they rode from the Center, around Siem Reap Town and all the way to the temples at Angkor Wat and back. It took almost three hours!

On behalf of the Somaly Mam Foundation, Voices for Change, and the local village children, staff at AFESIP Cambodia would like to express our deepest thanks to 88bikes for their generous donation. We hope that the bikes remain in the memories of all the women and children for some time to come.