INITIATIVE WILL HELP HIV AND AIDS WORKERS

Health care workers in 2 Botswana cities recently weregiven 200 specially designed and constructed Kona bicyclesto assist them in caring for patients with HIV and AIDS. Theinitiative is part of the BikeTown Africa program supportedby Bicycling magazine, Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation'sSecure the Future program, and the Kona Bicycle Co.

The project, the first international expansion of Bicycling's4-year-old BikeTown USA program, is designed to assisthealth care workers with the delivery of home health aidsand services in Botswana's rural and hard-to-reach areas. The bicycles were distributedequally to the Botswana Christian AIDS Intervention Program and to the BobonongHome Based Care Society.

Currently, Botswana has the second-highest rate of HIV infection (38%) in the world.Many home health care specialists must walk miles between visits. The goal ofBikeTown Africa is to enable caregivers to significantly increase the frequency of theirhome care visits. The bicycles are specially tailored to suit local conditions, while alsorequiring minimal maintenance. Spare parts and the training of local individuals on therepair and service of the bicycles will guarantee that they are fully utilized.