I think the initial goals for this project were a little too lofty. It would be great if Wrench Nepal could simultaneously open a shop, train intern mechanics, import bikes, repair them and ship them to populations in need within the country. However, at the moment we are a staff of one (me) and it seems a lot more practical focusing on opening the shop and getting kids started so that the next batch of volunteers can have something to work with. Bikes can't be donated until the summer anyway, so that makes sense as a long-term goal, maybe even next year. The major hold-up there is finding a group to help get the bikes through customs, which has not been easy.
So, paring down the budget to include only necessary tools, I see us needing $750 initially. I've got a proposal in to the Friends of Nepal (google it) and a few others in the works. I'm confident that something will materialize, although it's a little like trying to get water from a rock.
As for the next set of volunteers, I'm thinking it would be practical to ask two people to run the place, a lead mechanic and a volunteer coordinator/fund raiser. There's a lot of networking and legal stuff that needs to be done, including finding a way for this to become a for-credit academic opportunity, for WN to really take off, and it's too much to put on someone who'll be in the shop full-time. If either of these positions appeal to you, email me, and we'll talk. I'll post the positions formally when the shop opens.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year
It’s been a long few weeks trying to figure this all out. Finally I have a few good leads. The NGOs I asked to partner with me took their time (what with the holidays) getting back to me, but one has expressed a real interest in the program and definitely has the capability to get our bikes through customs and into
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