Breaking Poverty Cycle 2 Wheels at a Time

Founder of Bicycle Charity 88Bikes Driven to Provide Children of Third World a Vehicle to Regain Lost Bits of Childhood

(CBS)  How do you break the cycle of childhood poverty and deprivation in the third world?

There's no easy answer to that question, but some kids might say a bicycle is a good place to start, and writer and filmmaker Dan Austin is one of New York's all-time bicycle delivery guys, reports CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor.

"There's a lot of kids out there that could use a bike," Austin said.

After a 2007 cycling vacation in Cambodia with his brother, Austin decided they should give their bikes away, to a local orphanage.

"We realized that, you know, 88 kids lived at the orphanage, which meant that 86 kids would feel pretty left out," Austin said. "We couldn't have that."

They frantically sent messages via Facebook and e-mail to just about everyone they knew. Four days later, they had enough money to buy bikes from Cambodian bike shops for all 88 orphans.

No one was ready for what happened on delivery day.

"It was like this tsunami of happiness," Austin said. "I've never seen anything like it. They all were going nuts."

"And you realized then 'we gotta do it some more?'" Glor asked.

"I think the seeds were planted," Austin said.

And 88Bikes was born. Austin has since delivered 200 bikes to war orphans in refugee camps in Uganda and hundreds more to HIV-positive children in Peru.

"They've been through things that no one should have to go through, especially a child," Austin said. "So we're hoping that a bike will help them reclaim a little bit of their lost childhood and give them, you know, a way to sort of regain a bit of that."

It's "The Little Charity That Could." Outside Magazine cited Austin as one of "10 icons changing the world."

"He's not affecting, you know, thousands or hundreds of thousands of kids," said the magazine's Mike Roberts. "We're talking hundreds of kids, but, for those kids, it is huge. Especially if you're in a place like Cambodia, a bicycle means freedom. Because of that, it's incredibly inspiring and really powerful."

Sponsorships are $88, the average price for a bike in the third world. On missions, Austin brings photos and maps so each child knows the person who cared enough to buy them that bike. In return, each donor gets a picture of the bike they donated and a picture of the child who received it.

"We really feel strongly that you can connect people across the world like this," Austin said. "I think that's the root of what 88Bikes is about, this one-to-one connection."

This summer brings a major expansion with as many as 2,000 bicycles going to remote sites in Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Tanzania and American Indian reservations in the United States.

But first, Austin and his brother did something nostalgic for themselves: a return to that original orphanage, where they led three dozen of those same young kids on a 35-mile trek through the Cambodian countryside.

"It's the magic of travel," Austin said. "Having these sorts of journeys where you really connect with the world and yourself and maybe do some good along the way."

That's the effect one trip continues to have on Austin, two wheels at a time.

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For more information about 88Bikes or for ways to donate, visit the charity's Web site at http://www.88bikes.org.

[rockcutr]

It really surprises me with all the negative responces to this act of kindness. What 2 people did will effect in a positive nature the rest of these kids lifes. Not saving the world. But, giving a moment of joy and happy. Rather than crappy people complaining that it is not enough or the wrong way to do it. SHUT up and get off your key board and just do it. Practicing random acts of kindness is a thing I learned as a child from an old Black man who was a gardener in our trailer park in florida. As a kid I didn't even see his color. Just a wheelbarrow that he would give me and the other kids in the park rides in. Today retarded mothers would be screaming bloody murder on this one. But from the great white north where the majority of my schoolmates had never even seen a black person except on TV. I had an insight into One really kind Black man. These Cambodian kids just may have the same regard when they grow up. Possibly realizing One bad apple don't make all apples bad. Jake was his name. Never knew his last name. Sunshine Trailer park in Sarasota, Florida. Even the name of the Park is a happy thing.

[92592sy]

Do something are ways-better than do nothing about it! I'm on your side Austin, and shut up! those's that's against his idea. I and my wife are just returned back from our 4 weeks vacation in Cambodia...helmet and no helmet don't make any different overthere. He did not try to eliminate poverty; he just wanna bring joy and freedom to those unfortunate children which made me cry to see those children in white-teeth. When I was a child, I did not have my own bike...I know how they feel, when they got one the very first time in their lives. Don't worry Austin, those children won't sue you nor your brother. You and your brother really do God's work; you and your brother don't have to be a priest nor an archbishop. God will bless you and your brother.

[itgranny]

hateisafourletterword: i would be really interested just how much of your life and money is spent on actually helping people. I'm guessing you have never lifted a finger nor spent a dime helping somebody get out of poverty.

[Hosheen]

Exactly how will giving kids bikes "break the cycle of poverty"? It will make the givers feel smugly good for a while but will do nothing for the children's education, healthcare, or real needs.

The intention is good, but the method is ridiculous.

[Hosheen]

So, democracy2, exactly HOW is that affecting their poverty? Maybe they can sell the bikes and have food for a week? As usual, nutcases evade direct questions because the answers are either intellectually beyond them or are something that doesn't make them feel good. And that's all this program is a "feel good" action for a few.

[hateisafourletterword]

What starts out as a good deed by well meaning people will end up a PR nightmare and legal disaster. No helmets. Some kid will fall off and either hurt themself, break a neck or actually die. Then when these well meaning people show up next year they will likely be arrested and put in jail for endangering kids lives.

To top it off some American attorney will take the case and sue the organization in U.S. court for damages for all the emotional distress caused by the accidents.

Sound far fetched, give it one year. Remember the school Oprah opened, funded and operated?

[hateisafourletterword]

And Oprah was just trying to help too.

The point of my cynicism is that some people really do not want to be helped. They would rather be the victim. Look at Haiti. Billions upon untold Billions of dollars flushed down the toilet in that country over the years. Look at many other countries. Oprah built, funded and ran a school. Then the claims against her started. WHY? Jealousy, fear, or what?

Many people talk a great game. We want this to help us get off of welfare or whatever. Some use the help and others don't.

In this case the first kid who falls off and gets hurt will have some CBS or other reporter there to film them in the hospital. Then the reporter will show up at the organization in the U.S. and try to set them up ala 60 Minutes style.

It is all just an effing sympathy game and this person is getting a little tired of the game.

[bringbackmfg]

Looks like helmets aren't included.