Pedaling toward possibility
When a simple bicycle becomes a catalyst for girls’ dreams
Every morning in Yambio County, South Sudan, Alice Euda would set out on foot for Bakwiri Primary School. The road was long and unforgiving, dusty in the dry season, muddy in the rain. By the time she arrived, she was exhausted. Some days, fatigue kept her home, and each absence weighed heavily on her heart. “It hurt me when I could not make it to school,” Alice recalls. “I worried about the girls. When a teacher is absent, they lose motivation. I wanted to be there for them every day.”
Hundreds of kilometers away in Mundri East, Esther Amoto faced the same struggle. She walked for hours under the scorching sun to reach Lui Upper Primary School. By the time she arrived, she was drained yet determined to teach.
There were days I arrived late and tired. I wanted to give my best, but the journey made it so difficult.
For both women, the daily commute wasn’t just exhausting, it threatened their ability to inspire the very students who needed them most. Consistency matters, especially for adolescent girls who often face pressure to drop out. Teachers like Alice and Esther are lifelines of encouragement. But how do you keep hope alive when the road itself feels endless?
One Simple Change
In 2025, everything shifted. Alice and Esther received bicycles. A simple resource that changed everything. Suddenly, the long, punishing walks were replaced by swift, easy rides. They arrived at school refreshed, focused, and ready to teach with energy and passion.
The bicycle has lifted a heavy burden. I feel stronger, and I know the girls are watching. I want to inspire them.
Esther beams with pride: “The bicycle has given me wings. I can now focus on what matters most: inspiring my students and shaping the future of our community.”
The Ripple Effect
The impact was immediate and visible. Attendance improved. Girls felt encouraged by teachers who showed up every day, no matter what. Parents and school staff noticed the change too, punctuality, confidence, and enthusiasm radiating from classrooms where hope had returned.
Alice and Esther’s stories remind us of a powerful truth: sometimes, removing one barrier unlocks a world of possibility. A bicycle is not just a mode of transport, it’s a tool for resilience, a symbol of progress, and a promise that education is worth the journey.
In 2025, through the UNICEF 7% Adolescent Girls Education project implemented by CEDS, forty bicycles were distributed to female teachers to help equip them to inspire the next generation of leaders. Esther and Alice’s journey remind us that empowering educators is one of the most effective ways to empower girls and to build a brighter future for the whole community.
