November 8 2011, 04:45PM GMT-08:00
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Bicycle Mechanic Course for Kids from Favelas in Rio
CSR report from Shimano Latin America
From October 1st to 9th, SHIMANO staff rendered a Course of Basic Mechanics for the youth at Favelas in Rio de Janeiro. One social initiative from Rio de Janeiro Government is pacification of the Favelas in Rio.
Taking advantage of this action, one private organization named Pedal 2 created a circuit of XC MTB race in these Favelas. In complementation, they created a basic bicycle mechanic course to increase the impact of the cycling event and help take kids out of streets and contact with the drug dealing activity still happening in some places of the Favela.
Because of our Tech Seminars, SHIMANO was invited to both give Neutral Support at the XC of the Favelas and to give the basic course to kids between 13 and 20 years old.
After the race in May, the course was set to start in October. The organizers sent out flyers and posters through the community inviting kids for the free course. The kids were interviewed and after conversations with their parents and with some difficulty, the organizers gathered 18 Kids for this first course that happened in the Favela of Turano, in Rio de Janeiro. The course lasted 5 days with a hour
cargo of 40hs and was sponsored by Light (electricity company of Rio and the Government of Rio).
Taking advantage of this action, one private organization named Pedal 2 created a circuit of XC MTB race in these Favelas. In complementation, they created a basic bicycle mechanic course to increase the impact of the cycling event and help take kids out of streets and contact with the drug dealing activity still happening in some places of the Favela.
Because of our Tech Seminars, SHIMANO was invited to both give Neutral Support at the XC of the Favelas and to give the basic course to kids between 13 and 20 years old.
After the race in May, the course was set to start in October. The organizers sent out flyers and posters through the community inviting kids for the free course. The kids were interviewed and after conversations with their parents and with some difficulty, the organizers gathered 18 Kids for this first course that happened in the Favela of Turano, in Rio de Janeiro. The course lasted 5 days with a hour
cargo of 40hs and was sponsored by Light (electricity company of Rio and the Government of Rio).
Tech Instructor Ronaldo Huhm and marketing analyst Pierre Couto from SLA went there and spent one week training the kids from the poor
communities of Turano and Salgueiro. The result was rewarding: after one week of dedication, the kids were really inspired by the SHIMANO spirit and found a new possibility for their lives: some of these 18 kids were living too close to crime.
On the last day of course, Tech Instructor Ronaldo interviewed the kids one by one, making sure they understood the efforts and checking their will to embrace the new career. They all received a Diploma, one briefcase tools from SHIMANO PRO brand; SHIMANO T-shirts and caps, and cycling magazines to keep them inspired.
Now the efforts are to find work for the kids: organizers have for of the kids with proposals from bike shops in Rio. Definitely SHIMANO efforts made a difference in the lives of these kids: making them closer to bikes and closer to a new dream.
The second basic mechanic course will take place on the same place on 12 to 16 December 2012.
Please also check pictures here:
http://www.pedal.com.br/projeto-shimanoemprega-mecanicos-de-imediato_texto5357.html