Sept 17, Sept 22

a few more pics: www.flickr.com/photos/bnbghana

Sept 17

The training is going so well. We've moved through rotational systems, the drive train, and shifting systems, and are now on brakes. We'll finish brakes on Thursday, Friday will be a review, Monday will be another bike bulk sale (to small bike retailers in Koforidua), and Tuesday will be exams, certificates, and naturally, a party. I'm then taking a few days to chill out, contemplate the trainee selection and the way forward, and work on the numbers of the new and realistic business plan financials. The following Monday, we will resume with the reduced number of trainees for the intensive portion of the training, advanced mechanics and preparing to open the business.

I've identified six trainees who have demonstrated aptitude for bicycle mechanics, reliability and willingness to take initiative and responsibility, and the intellectual skills necessary to eventually steer the course of the business, professionally and accountably. Four men and two women. It seems prudent to hire the minimum number of employees necessary to accomplish the expected workload - if business picks up, more people can always be trained and hired. We expect to have two sales staff - one woman and one man, and the other four mechanics.

Our financial responsibility - we have hope - we can do it - but the landlord needs to be our friend. We've paid a third of the ten years up-front payment for rent, and we are hoping to raise another third in the next week as we bulk-sell bikes. We have two stores that have become the workshop and storage area, and we are waiting for the key to the third streetside retail store - which is totally righteous and connects through a secret back door into the dirt lot in front of the workshop, and has streetside mural potential. If we secure the key to that store, it'll be ours, and the business location will be set and growth will be inevitable - we've got a growing reputation in Koforidua already of being the best, and we haven't even begun retail sales. The landlord is a long-time supporter of Emmanuel, and wants to see us succeed. He is a very kind man, but is all business and wants his money. I think that if we complete payment for the two stores, he will give us the key for the third and will accept gradual payment.
The trainees down to six:

Torsutsey: public relations virtuoso, smart guy, bead seller, ~38 years

Maude: graduate of secretarial school, brilliant person, diplomatic leader, unemployed, ~ 28 years

Sule: outspoken advocate of social justice, likes hip-hop and positive vibrations, works at the Shell station, - 34 years

Adjen: invincible physically challenged cyclist, wheelchair basketball striker, excellent mechanic, unemployed tv and radio repairer, - 23 years

Miriam: woman of many hairstyles and fashions, amazing positive attitude, reliable person, conscientious mechanic, - 25 years

Julius: has the confidence of a greek god, kente cloth weaver, farmer, inventor, ~37 years

This morning as I rode into town, I heard a teenage boy state about me as I passed "freedom of mobility" - thinking on it all day -

Sept 22

OK y'all, feeling good - the sale was today. We sold about 120 bikes and made a good chunk of cash, but I was hoping for a bit more. We didn't sell any 26" mountain bikes cause Emmanuel borrowed them for his potential race in Accra for physically challenged athletes. Those bikes will come back by the end of the week, and then we'll sell a bunch hopefully meeting our financial mark. Feeling fine - just printed out certificates for the 12 who completed the 3-week course. Tomorrow is practical and oral exams and the party - we've got a good vibe together. Truth is, I'm totally impressed by some of the trainees. Maude is completely awesome, and with her crutches and charm, she managed to control 30 macho bike sellers and coordinate the core process of the sale. I was general support, making sure the landlord's brothers' cars weren't damaged, making sure the clinic people were not too disturbed by the loud arguing, intervening in minor altercations and repermanding big muscle men to keep their voices down. Miriam was the money person, and exhibited excellent resilience to male pressure. Julius and Torsutsey were on security - checking receipts and bikes before the bike sellers could leave the lot, Adjen was on digital camera duty, and Sule was crowd control. A great success. Gradually building their capacity and personal investment. They've progressed so much in the past month. I'm confident we'll get the the point of self-sufficiency.

Will post pics from the sale within the week.

Hope you are well-