On May 8, 2021, the Brothers of the Gaithersburg/Rockville (MD) Alumni Chapter (G-Rock) of the Eastern Province gathered to present Togo’s Kids Hope, 119 bicycles to be sent to Togo, Africa.
Togo Kids Hope is an organization founded by Togolese living in the United States with the main goal of providing hope to young kids in Togo through various activities they plan throughout the year. One of these initiatives is to provide bicycles to kids who walk five or more miles to school every day. Togo Kids Hope accepts used bikes and refurbishes them to present to students. For smaller bikes, they give them to preschool children in orphanages in Togo. The need for bicycles is not only important as it allows the kids to more easily get to school but it is also a safety issue especially for young girls. Several girls have been attacked late at night while returning home from school, as such girls are given priority when the bikes are distributed.
The Brothers of Gaithersburg/Rockville Alumni got involved through the initiative of Brother Berkley Davenport, who previously donated his son Chris’ bicycle. After his contribution, Brother Davenport received a picture of the child who received his son’s bike which not only confirmed the purpose of the contribution but also the need. Thus, at the Chapter’s April meeting he made a proposal that the Chapter support this initiative and it was unanimously accepted. Soon after, using social media and the personal contacts of Brothers, an effort that hoped to garner 50 bikes became a donation of 119 in less than a month, becoming the largest donation Togo Kids Hope has ever received.
The Togo Kids Hope bike drive is now our chapter premier community event. If you would like to make a bike contribution or get more information about this event, please contact Brother Davenport at berkeleydavenport@gmail.com