Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has chosen FRASI’s Bike to School project for its 2024 charity. FRASI, which was proposed by Patricia Bona, co-founder & co-owner (with husband Jean-Jacques Bona) of Miami-based Essence Corp., was one of three charities put forward by WiTR+ members, and garnered the most votes.
FRASI, a not-for-profit association based in Lugano, Switzerland, works with disadvantaged and vulnerable children in many different countries and its Bike to School project in Sri Lanka aims to help prevent boys and girls from drop-ping out of schools, by providing them with a safe means of transportation.
Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948 and the economic meltdown has triggered a political and social crisis with anti-government protests erupting across the country.
In these dire circumstances, children are quitting school, losing out not only on basic education, but for many also their only daily guaranteed meal. For many, walking to school is fraught with danger.
In response to this problem, the FRASI Bike to School project will provide bikes and bike safety equipment to students with good academic performance, coming from families with financial difficulties, and living more than 5km away from schools.
Cycling safety lessons and cycle repair lessons will also be provided.
Patricia Bona, one of the earliest members of WiTR and an active supporter said: “I am thrilled that WiTR+ members have chosen the Bike to School project as its 2024 charity. I believe that empathy, support, and collective action can change the world. Together, we can give to one child at a time a chance for better education which is vital to break the cycle of poverty. If WiTR+ can raise €15,000, more than one hundred girls and boys, from families with few economic resources, will receive a bicycle, a helmet, street safety and bike repair lessons. Our fundraising will help them get an education and get to school safely. I hope that the whole industry will help WiTR+ to achieve its target.”
To learn more about FRASI and the Bike to School project, please go to : https://www.associazionefrasi.org/
