Traveling internationally, Naumovski flew to Musoma, Tanzania to visit the young women who received the bicycles graciously donated by Dunkirk’s Spoke Folk. A project was then done about the young women, including biographies, photos, and background information on their lives and their community.

“It is riveting how HRCO and Spoke Folk, through their exciting pilot initiative, have revived these girls’ dreams of finishing school and accomplishing her educational goals through the purchasing and distribution of bicycles,” Naumovski said. “Every one of the girls who participated in this project wrote about how they had previously lost hope in their education and how the creation of the Community Bicycle Lab has given them back the opportunity to continue with their studies and work toward their dreams.”

Naumovski wrote short biographies about the girls at the Hope Revival Children’s Organization (HRCO) in Musoma. These included Dinner Amiri, Samila Juma, Angela Staulausi, Gloria Swedi, and Casila Mabula.

Naumovski describes Dinner as “not your ordinary 17-year-old girl”. “She is extremely courageous, with big plans and a very bright future ahead of her,” Naumovski said. “Her dream is to become a lawyer and protect women and girls from violence.”

Submitted Photo Dinner Amiri poses with her new bicycle donated to her by Dunkirk’s Spoke Folk.

Angela is a 16-year-old who lost her father at the young age of three. Naumovski explained that Angela is part of a five sibling family, with one older sister and three younger brothers, all cared for by her mother and grandparents. “Before the HRCO Community Bicycle Lab, she faced many of the common challenges as her peers, such as suffering from the distance between home and school,” Naumovski said. “Her loss in confidence defined her studies for a while, but now she has the opportunity to turn that around, thanks to her bicycle.”

Naumovski then spoke of Casila, another 16-year-old living in Musoma. “She is a very charismatic and competent young woman, who is confident, determined, and knows her worth,” Naumovski said. “She is an incredible leader in her family as she is ambitious, a great listener, and has a philanthropic heart.” Casila dreams to use her knowledge to become a professor one day.

“These young girls are what the Musoma Community Bicycle Lab is all about,” Naumovski said, “Their futures are in our hands and by enabling them to reach their schools quickly and more efficiently, they can further their education while remaining on top of their communal tasks at home with their family.”

Naumovski believes that this small mission to get these girls bikes will change their lives forever. “It is truly inspiring to hear their personal testimonials of hope and excitement for their futures, supported through collaboration between Spoke Folk and the HRCO,” Naumovski said. She wants to thank those who donated to the cause and welcome even more donations from those who would like to help make a difference in the world by empowering the lives and futures of girls from Tanzania.

“I really think the connection between Dunkirk and Tanzania to be a fascinating one. Spoke Folk has always identified itself as a Dunkirk project and the people in Musoma speak of our city with great fondness and many want to learn more about its history, people, etc.,” Richard Goodman, founder of Spoke Folk, said. “To me, this is truly a wonderful thing and defines what genuine communication is all about — building bridges not walls.”

Submitted Photo Casila Mabula poses with her new bicycle donated to her by Dunkirk’s Spoke Folk.