thing she believed could be rectify with a simple approach;
empower the people by teaching simple maintenance and
skills, and embed a culture of prevention and sustainability.
In 2016 Claire moved to Mwanza, in the north of Tanza-
nia, to start Pikilily, a social enterprise that runs a community
based motorcycle workshop that not only repairs and main-
tains the motorcycles of Tanzania but also teaches mainte-
nance as well as road safety.
The primarily female run operation; most of the Pikilily
team are females from the local communities, who are
trained in several areas, including; motorcycle maintenance,
rider training, road safety and medical, has had a profound
effect on the attitudes of both riders and passengers who
now see the motorcycle as something to be respected. You
look after it, and it will look after you. Riders, owners, have
come to realise that by protecting their motorcycle they are
protecting not only their health but also their, and possibly
their families, only source of income. It’s an investment in
the future at so many levels.
Led by Claire and Khalid Maagi, a local tradesman whose
own story of mentoring local boys into learning the skills
of carpentry is worthy of volumes, have built a team that is
skilled, determined and well respected. The young women,
from varying backgrounds, have grasped the opportunity to
learn new skills and appreciate that they are able to pass on
these skills and help others, especially in areas of healthcare
and midwifery now that they have greater access to the more
remote communities.
TRAVERSE
This has been supplemented by a program to restore and
rejuvenate a fleet of eRanger motorcycle ambulances that, for
the most part, have been left derelict throughout the country.
The Pikilily team get the ambulances back on the road, and
fill a service that wouldn't necessarily be there. The ambu-
lance fleet is run by the female apprentices of Pikilily who
gain skills not only in motorcycle riding and maintenance
but also first aid and self-defence.
Thousands have gone through the Pikilily workshops, not
only in Tanzania but also Mali and the Democratic Republic
of Congo, nations that have also identified a need for proper
maintenance and correct rider training.
Pikilily is a success story however, a work in progress, and
needs the support of others. Claire asks a very simple, yet
powerful question, “What aspect of your life are you living to
suit other people?”
As Claire says, “apply a little bit of courage, a little bit of
imagination” and we can all work to make the world a better
place.
Why Pikilily? In Swahili, a piki-piki is a motorcycle and the
lily is the flower of females and connection. Pikilily, a name
that is simple, yet beautiful and strong.
To get further information on Pikilily and the work being
done and how you can help, visit www.pikilily.com
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