Three years on the road
20.07.2009
Fr McCrossan tells us about how the Pedalling to Live Project, three years on, has helped drivers make better lives for their families.
On April 18, 2009 we celebrated three years of the Pedalling to Live Project. It all began when I first met Josefino Bayno, who was stopping to pick up a passenger in his three-wheeled tricycle known locally as "sikad-sikad."
Unlike the many other drivers Josefino, was doing this exhausting job with a severe disability; one of his legs was terribly shrunken by polio as a child, making pedalling a nearly insurmountable feat.
He said, "Because of my disability I am slower than the other tricycles, so I get fewer fares" I was amazed at his courage and determination, I thought..." What a courageous man to do this... how can I help him"? It was a moment of revelation for me.
Josefino was one of the first to receive his tricycle in April 2006; happily, he and his family are now enjoying a better standard of living.
We started with five tricycles. From that small beginning the project has grown. We have a total of 62 tricycles in operation. Of these, 42 are now owned by the drivers themselves. They have completed their repayments. Another 19 are still in the process of being repaid. A driver pays about $1 a day into the cooperative.
When he has completed his repayments he takes ownership of his vehicle. Many of the drivers have also been able to open a small savings account in the co-operative and have availed of loans. As many as 300 have applied to join the organisation.
We have 41 children in our scholarship programme. This programme is a great help to the families of the tricycle drivers. Schooling costs money, which they can ill afford.
The drivers have formed their own association and meet once a month to discuss the programme. As well, we are continuing with health clinics for the families and family counselling assistance. Our programme does not distinguish between religious affiliations; we have drivers of different faiths.
On April 18 we celebrated a success story! We gave thanks to God for guiding us on the journey over the past three years, to the staff of Ozamiz City Peoples Cooperative for much needed assistance in managing the programme and to the numerous benefactors who have funded us.
May God bless you all!
Fr Oliver McCrossan has been a missionary in the Philippines since 1975.
