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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Police Donate Bicycles to Schools in Africa
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/19/2007 10:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeff Kappel (206) 684-5520
Police Media Relations (206) 684-5520
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Seattle Police Donate Bicycles to Schools in Africa
SEATTLE—City Council member Richard McIver and LueRachelle Brim-Atkins of Cultural Reconnection Missions joined Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske today at the Department’s Evidence Warehouse south of downtown as the Seattle Police Department donated over 50 bicycles to representatives of a cultural mission that supports schools and orphanages in Kenya.
“We’re happy to be afforded the opportunity to give to those who otherwise would go without,” said Chief Kerlikowske.
The African American Kenyan Women’s Interconnect is the joint project and fund-raising arm of Cultural Reconnection Missions, represented by LueRachelle Brim-Atkins. The bicycles that were donated by the Seattle Police Department will go to women’s groups in Kenya, who work directly with Cultural Reconnection Missions in support of several projects including orphanages and schools.
“I’m pleased we can find a good use for these bicycles and I’m sure they’ll be well received and utilized by the schools in Kenya,” said City Council member McIver.
Cultural Reconnection Missions is currently working on several joint venture projects in Africa that involve education, clean water, reforestation, caring for orphans and vulnerable children, and economic development.
“These donated bicycles can be converted to bicycle taxis to help the women’s groups generate income for their projects, specifically, the region’s schools and orphanages,” said Brim-Atkins. “Those of us who have not worked with people in Africa may have a difficult time understanding the full impact of the gift of these bicycles. They will make life so much easier for so many people and we are so appreciative to the City of Seattle.”
The organization is currently filling a 40-foot container donated by a local business with medical supplies and equipment, as well as books and other school supplies to establish a Provincial Learning Resources Center in Nyanza Province in Kenya.
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