When we started the Ride It Forward program, the goal was simple: get tools into the hands of those who can use them to build their own futures. We imagined a direct line of communication—a handshake across oceans. But as we’ve learned, international development is rarely a straight line.
Right now, we’ve lost touch with our primary contact in Benin, Mr. Wale. We know our supporters might wonder: Is there unrest? Is there a crisis?
The truth is often quieter, but just as challenging.
The Digital Divide is Real In rural villages, "connectivity" isn't a given. It’s a luxury. When someone goes silent, it rarely signals political instability; more often, it signals the realities of rural infrastructure.
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The Hardware Gap: A mobile phone is a major financial asset. If a device breaks, is lost, or simply runs out of power in a village without a reliable grid, the "digital door" closes instantly.
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The Coverage Gap: Even when a signal is technically present, the quality can be too low for data, and electricity to keep a device charged remains a daily hurdle.
Our Next Step: A Lesson in Resilience We aren't giving up. Instead, we are adapting. We are currently exploring logistics brokers in larger urban centers like Cotonou who can provide a secure "landing point" for the tools we have collected.
But a box in a warehouse isn't enough. We are now working to find a "relay"—a community leader or local business contact near Mr. Wale’s village who can bridge the gap when the digital one fails.
Why We Share This We believe in being honest about the "messy" parts of our work. Whether it’s navigating customs in a new country or solving the "last-mile" delivery problem when our partners go offline, these challenges are part of the journey.
We don't just want to send tools; we want to build a system that works, even when the power is out and the phones are silent. Thank you for walking this path with us. If you have experience in international logistics or regional contacts in West Africa, please reach out—we’re always looking to grow our network of helpers.