US Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados, Monday, March 19, 2012 - Health and wellness in St. Kitts and Nevis got a boost when a U.S. Air Force plane touched down at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on March 10th, bearing a 2500 pound shipment of bicycles, cycling equipment and medical supplies.
The precious cargo, worth US$6642, was donated by U.S.-based NGO Community Bikes Inc and Kittitian-American Dr. Cedric Francis and consisted of two major contributions.
Community Bikes Inc., spearheaded by American humanitarian Chuck Fox, donated 75 bicycles, bike helmets and locks which are destined for a new outreach program for underprivileged children.
The delivery was facilitated by the U.S. government's Denton Program which provides free transportation on U.S. military cargo aircraft for humanitarian assistance materials donated by U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, international organizations and private voluntary organization for humanitarian relief.
The Denton Program is jointly run by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Departments of State and Defence.
The cycling outreach program will be run in both St. Kitts and Nevis by the St. Kitts and Nevis Cycling Federation to encourage young people to practice a healthy life style and nurture those with an interest and talent for competitive cycling.
The other contribution was part of an ongoing commitment which Kittitian native Dr. Cedric Francis has made to his homeland for nearly a decade. Dr. Francis, who now lives in Chittenago, New York, has been giving back to the country of his birth by sending medical equipment and supplies to the JN France General Hospital.
