FedEx donates 200 bicycles to help students reach schools in rural Africa

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has donated 200 bicycles and its maintenance kits to youth from underserved communities in rural Africa. In collaboration with Qhubeka Charity, the bicycles were donated to children in the age group of 17-19 years belonging from a secondary school in the Uitkyk region of South Africa.

According to statistics from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), over one-fifth of primary-age children and almost 60% of youth between the ages of 15-17 in Sub-Saharan Africa are out of school, with lack of access of transportation to school being one of the reasons. Even today, in many parts of Africa, children walk for miles each day, often under challenging conditions to reach school. The shortage of reliable transportation hinders their ability to fully engage in their studies and impacts their health, thus, limiting opportunities for personal and economic advancement.

Natasha Parmanand, Managing Director Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa, FedEx Express MEISA said, “Education is a fundamental right of every individual, and we at FedEx believe in its power to uplift lives. We take pride in our partnership with Qhubeka, which is aligned with our commitment to addressing socioeconomic challenges at the grassroots level. The donation of these bicycles is not only an enabler in the learning journey but also an effort to empower the youth to overcome obstacles and create a better future.”

Anthony Fitzhenry, founder of Qhubeka Charity said, “We believe that bicycles change lives. Through this partnership with FedEx, we are not just delivering bicycles; we are delivering hope, empowerment, and the opportunity for a better future. The simple gift of a bicycle can have a profound impact on a student’s life, making the journey to school quicker, easier, and happier.”

FedEx is renowned for its global reach and commitment to social responsibility, demonstrated through various successful programs under its FedEx Cares umbrella. With this initiative, FedEx and Qhubeka aim to improve access to schools, empowering young learners to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Each student recipient will undergo comprehensive cycle safety training, covering basic principles of bicycle riding and maintenance using the accessories provided in the maintenance kit.

About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, supplying fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed the delivery of time-sensitive shipments by a definite time and date.

About Qhubeka
Qhubeka runs programmes through which people earn bicycles, improving their access to schools, clinics and jobs. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go.