Okafitu BikesOkathitu

OKAFITU BIKES, OKATHITU Founded in support of Anglican HIV/AIDS program, now an independent

non-profit.

BEN Namibia’s 1st bike shop project, commenced December 2006.

Received shipping container from B4H, Kelowna (Canada).

Funded by US Ambassador’s self-help programme.

Several spin-off enterprises.

Support local orphans with funds and bicycles for transport.

Based in Okathitu, a remote village in northern Namibia.

The shop was started in partnership with the local Anglican HIV/AIDS programme, which showed great responsibility in distributing and maintaining a fleet of bicycles donated to local outreach volunteers

Before Okathitu Bicycle Shop opened, customers had to travel 130km to the nearest bicycle repair shop.

Okathitu Bicycle Shop reinvested its profits in a brick making business, providing much needed building materials for the surrounding villages, and creating 5 new jobs.

Hilya Ekandjo became Namibia’s first woman bicycle shop manager in 2006. She has since trained dozens of other women in mechanics, and has shared the computer skills she learned running the business with her former school teachers, local police and bank workers. Hilya has also launched a bicycle shop franchise in the city of Outapi, started a brick-making business, and sells solar lighting products.