TASO GULU CENTER PARTNERS WITH WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF TO EMPOWER CLIENTS THROUGH MOBILITY

A client while receiving his bicycle.

By Achomo Proscovia

Gulu City

In a continued effort to enhance health service delivery and educational access, TASO Gulu Center has successfully distributed fifty durable bicycles to its clients, with support from World Bicycle Relief.

The beneficiaries include community support agents, children and adolescents, many of whom face significant transportation challenges in accessing essential services.

This initiative is more than a handout -it is a transformative tool that promises to improve health outcomes, education access, and community support in Northern Uganda.

The recipients, many of whom travel long distances on foot to access medical care or attend school, can now move faster, safer, and more efficiently.

According to Walter Okema, Center Programs Manager TASO Gulu, the bicycles will serve a dual purpose easing the burden of traveling long distances to collect antiretroviral drugs from the center on time, from TASO Gulu Center and enabling recipients to support follow-up visits within their communities.

“We realized that many of our clients, especially children and adolescents were struggling to reach health centers and schools due to long distances. These bicycles will not only reduce that burden but also empower recipients to support others in their communities.” Said Okema.

The impact of the initiative was immediately felt, as the bicycles were met with tears of joy, applause, and heartfelt gratitude from the beneficiaries.
Norbert Otim a resident Patwol Village, Palaro sub county in Gulu District shared his experience.

“I started taking my ARVs back in 2005, and ever since, transport has been a big challenge for me. There were times I couldn’t make it to the center and ended up missing a whole week without medication. But now that I’ve received this means of transport, I’m really relieved. It’s going to make a big difference; I’ll be able to move more easily and keep up with my treatment without missing.”

Eunice Akello, a community Support Agent in Kanyagoga B, Bardege Layibi Division, Gulu City emphasized how the bicycle would improve her outreach efforts. “I have been walking for hours to check on fellow clients, some of whom live in distant areas, now, I can visit more people in less time and offer better support. This is going to change the way I serve my community especially the young adolescents,” said Akello.

Oyet Nyekolobo from Pawel te-ladwong, Unyama Sub County who represented his son explained that each month he spends approximately 30,000UGX on transportation to and from TASO to collect his son’s medication. “It’s been a real struggle, especially with other responsibilities at home. But now that I’ve received this bicycle, the burden has really been lifted. It will make things so much easier for me and my family,” said Nyekolobo.

This impactful distribution was made possible by World Bicycle Relief, a global nonprofit that designs and donates rugged, purpose-built bicycles for use in developing regions. The organization has empowered countless individuals in rural areas with reliable mobility, and this latest collaboration with TASO Gulu highlights the synergy between healthcare and transportation access.

TASO Gulu Center plans to monitor the progress of the recipients over the coming months to assess the impact of the bicycles on treatment adherence, school attendance and community health support.

TASO (The Aids Support Organization) Gulu Center is a pioneer organization in providing HIV/AIDS care, treatment and support services in Northern Uganda. The organization works to build resilient and empowered communities through holistic healthcare delivery.

As of October 2020, the TASO Gulu Center was providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) to approximately 8,950 individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This marked an increase from June 2018, when the center has 7,889 clients on ART.