The
Cyclo Centre was established in July 1999 following a survey of the cyclo
drivers of Phnom Penh. The objective of the survey was to assess the needs
of the cyclo drivers and to investigate the feasibility of a cyclo centre.
Two further surveys were conducted in July/October 1999 and November 1999
which aimed to give information on the physical distribution of the cyclo
drivers in the city, and also the general socio-economic situation of the
first 179 cyclo drivers who registered at the Centre.
During
the 1999 survey, the cyclo drivers identified that their preferred use of
a cyclo center would be a place where they could receive medical care,
access washing facilities, repair their cyclo, have opportunities to learn
new skills, and it would be a place where they could receive English
language skills and education on a variety of topics.
The URC thereafter founded the Cyclo Centre in July 1999. A team of
Cambodian and foreign volunteers organized a sponsored cycle ride to
Kampong Som to collect funds and start the project. In 2000,
the Centre received funding from Canada Fund, Church World Services and
private donations. In 2001, the Centre received funding from
Epic Art (UK), UNCHS (for vocational training activities) and the National
Centre for Health Promotion (NCHP), this was for the Smoke Free campaign
and cyclo credit. In June 2001, the Centre organised a sponsored cyclo
ride, Phnom Penh-Kampong Cham-Phnom Penh, in which twenty cyclos
participated to collect funds for the Centre.
In
March 2002, cyclo rider José Soriano undertook to rally Siem Reap and
Phnom Penh in 24 hours. A few sponsors donated to the Cyclo Center
at this occasion. Funds were collected in April from sponsorship by Hallam
Goad, a long-time friend of the Centre, when he ran the Paris Marathon.
This
purpose of this application is to seek funding for the continued existence
of this valuable meeting place for the cyclo centres of Phnom Penh in
2003.
|
