Christopher, a farmer and entrepreneur in the Kasungu district of Malawi, grows vegetables, groundnuts and maize, and sells the produce at the market.

To run his business, Christopher travels an average of 25 km each day – and up to 40 km when he needs to buy equipment, keeps and fertilizer. Motorbike taxi costs would eat into his income, but were necessary for the long distances.

When World Bicycle Relief launched bicycle programming in his rural community in 2021, the local Bicycle Supervisory Committee identified Christopher, a diligent worker, as an ideal recipient of a Buffalo Bicycle.

With his bicycle, Christopher now reaches new markets and transports his produce and farming implements with ease. He has expanded his reach and supplies three different markets. He also visits 14 schools, where he sells his vegetables to school staff. 

“Things which were far away are now in reach,” he says. “I have been able to improve my income and invest in better equipment and better seeds, which means my produce is better quality.” 

With no water point or borehole close to his house, irrigating crops would take time as he used water cans. Today, Christopher uses the bicycle to collect water at the nearest river – 3km away – saving him significant time and money. He’s invested his savings in a generator and water pipes, which irrigate his crops – and have improved the quality and quantity of his yield.  With better quality produce, he makes more money. 

Christopher also moves around the community easily, checking the market costs of produce and keeping his prices competitive.

“The bicycle has helped me and my family a lot. I have benefited so much from this bicycle in a way that I never imagined I would,” says Christopher.