The
Central African Republic (CAR), is one of the poorest countries in Central
Africa, and after the violent government takeover on March 24th 2013, people’s
living conditions are even more dire. Although many are farmers, malnutrition
is a severe problem because of poor farming practices and the back of
nutritious foods. Transportation is a critical issue because the country is
linked together by just a maze of dirt roads. During the past 5 months the unstable
political situation has limited the use of vehicles so motorcycles are
the primary transportation available.
Since
arriving in CAR February 2013, I have been living at the mission in Gamboula
and working at the Centre D’experimentation et de Formation Agricole (CEFA).
This faith-based, non- governmental organization’s purpose is to research, train
and provide agricultural support to the people of CAR. If things remain calm I
will most likely be moving to live at CEFA and will be doing outreach, teaching
and community development in the villages.
Some reasons
a motorcycle is needed are:
• Living at CEFA I will be
5 kilometers (3.125 miles) from the town of Gamboula, the mission and civilization. There are many evening activities at the mission that end late at
night. While I can ride my bicycle during the day, it is slow and a motorcycle
would allow me to go down to Gamboula and return quickly after dark.
• Village outreach trips
are more efficient and productive using a motorcycle. By having my own, it would allow me to go out and back when I need to and not have to depend on someone
else to take me. Having two people on one motorcycle increases the load and takes
up precious space for supplies and plant
material.
• For security reasons --
the other missionaries are recommending that I have access to a motorized vehicle of some sort in the event of emergencies. If emergency meetings are called
I can get to the mission quickly -- or evacuate immediately, if it comes to
that.
• As an extra plus, owning
a motorcycle would facilitate interaction among youth in the area and help me
gain acceptance and influence among them for ministry purposes.
I am in the process of finding support for a Honda 125,
that can be bought not too far in Cameroon. All together the costs of a motorcycle
and all the paper work is going to be about $2500 US.
