Project Rwanda is committed to furthering the economic development of Rwanda through initiatives based on the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope. Our goal is use the bike to help boost the Rwandan economy as well as re-brand Rwanda as a beautiful and safe place to do business and visit freely. Increase awareness for Rwanda, the country and its people, as a tourism and cycling destination, through the development of an eco–tourism industry: annually (September '06 was 1st event) conduct a multi–day event attended by Rwanda's, US and European riders to promote this concept.
 
Project Rwanda is actively engaged in the design, development and consults with implementation of special use bicycles to address specific needs within the country. Project Rwanda locates a foreign vendor to manufacture these bikes cost effectively for export to Rwanda (Landed cost approximately $100 — $200). In this role PR serves as a facilitator, consultant, designer and advisor regarding the entire scope of the project. A collaborating agency actual funds the purchase, delivery and distribution of the bikes. The first undertaking is for 2,000 special hauling long bikes for use by coffee farmers to haul their crop to the washing station collection point more quickly which increases the price they receive for the coffee cherries as this is a very time sensitive step. This project is in conjunction with the Texas A & M University and their Rwanda management team, USAID/SPREAD, which funded the actual cost of the bikes. Project Rwanda plans to establish bike distribution to needed organizations that do not have existing grants to purchase bikes. This program is under development and will involve a "hand up", not a "hand out" through a micro financing mechanism which subsidizes the cost of purchasing the bike and provides micro financing locally but requires repayment of a percentage of the bike cost over a period of time at low interest rates. It is envisioned that this micro financing mechanism, once established, will be rolled out to other African nations and non African developing nations. The need for special use bikes worldwide is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions; the bike is an affordable, practical, environmentally friendly solution to local transportation and hauling needs. Team Rwanda is a project bringing coaching and organization to this team of Rwandan athletes riding for themselves, their country, and awareness of the Rwandan situation.
 
 
Word is spreading about this new ""Team Rwanda"", the first ever national Rwandan cycling team, Support from donations and the enthusiasm of the riders will lead them to races around the globe. Can you feel it? The history is happening now, with former team member, Adrien Niyonshuti (MTN-Energade) racing alongside pros like Lance Armstrong in the Tour of Ireland. And everything you Log on the Plus 3 Network helps further the dream.