Peter, a health surveillance assistant in Malawi, received a Buffalo Bicycle in 2022 to support his work visiting patients across six villages. And every day since then, he’s changed – and saved – countless lives.
“One time, when we were at a village clinic, we had a small child that could have lost his life. Since we had this Buffalo Bicycle, it helped us carry the child, and we rushed him to the hospital,” recalls Peter. “When we are going about our days, we don’t forget that we helped save children’s lives because we had transportation.”
Each day, Peter would travel 15 kms by foot, first gathering vaccines and supplies from the clinic, then heading to the village. By the time he arrived, Peter had time to see only a few patients before starting his long walk back to the clinic and home.
“At that time, we were meeting very few children. Maybe only 10 per day,” he says.
Today, it takes Peter only 45 minutes by bike, and he’s able to treat up to 50 children in a single day.
Plus, his extra time gives Peter time to perform other vital healthcare duties. During a deadly cholera outbreak, Peter says the bike was invaluable in helping him supply safe drinking and cooking water to his catchment area.
In addition to his work, Peter also has a small farm near his home, where he grows maize, beans and vegetables.
“I am able to make the best use of my spare time by going to the farm,” Peter says. “And it is all possible because I go to and from work at a good time.
The crops feed his family throughout the year, so he no longer relies on purchasing them from the market. And he often has enough vegetables left to sell for extra income.
I feel like when my children see me doing this kind of job, they develop a spirit of love.
Peter says caring for his community is in his blood. His mother served as a healthcare worker, and he witnessed firsthand the vital role she played.
And while she wasn’t initially pleased with his decision to follow in her footsteps, she soon came to realize that “me serving the people was the right thing to do.”
As for his own children, Peter isn’t sure what path they’ll choose, but he would be proud if one continued his work.
“I feel like when my children see me doing this kind of job, they develop a spirit of love.
Because most times, the people come at odd hours, when you are not really supposed to be working,” Peter shares. “But because you have committed to being the person people depend on, the children develop a spirit of love, because they realize that they also have to love the people.”
