Chipego Bike Shop

Sanctuary Retreats has teamed up with Working Bikes, a charity that aims to empower people in developing countries by providing bicycles and establishing small bike sales and repair businesses.

Some of the many benefits of this social enterprise include creating employment opportunities, empowering women, generating an income for a rural village and providing affordable mobility to a community.

THE SHOP

Chipego Bike Shop in Nakatindi was our first women’s social enterprise project. The five women who are employed at the shop chose the name Chipego, which means ‘gift’. The passion of the mechanics is infectious; they love having guests visit to learn more.

IMPACT

to pay for thirteen resupply containers and support five pupils through school each year. They have also contributed to the construction of the maternity ward, donated 30 bikes to secondary school pupils and a further 18 to community healthcare volunteers.

RESULTS

All five women have improved the quality of life for themselves and their families, building homes, supporting school fees and putting food on the table, breaking down gender stereotypes across the community in the process.