IELTS Listening · Cam 5

Test 2 Part 2

My name's Dan Pearman, and I'd like to talk About the work of Pedal Power,

Level: B1 · 88 sentences

Transcript

  1. My name's Dan Pearman, and I'd like to talk
  2. About the work of Pedal Power,
  3. A small charity based mainly in the UK.
  4. I'll be giving our contact details at the end,
  5. If anyone would like to find out more about how to support us.
  6. But first, how the charity began.
  7. I got the idea of exporting bicycles to developing countries
  8. While I was in Ecuador.
  9. I went there in 1993, just after graduating from university.
  10. After three years of studying, I wanted adventure.
  11. I loved travelling, so I decided to join a voluntary organisation
  12. And was sent to Ecuador to carry out land surveys.
  13. The project came to an end
  14. After five years, and when I returned to the UK
  15. In 1998, I started planning pedal power.
  16. Where I lived in Ecuador was a very rural area.
  17. My neighbour had the only bicycle
  18. In the village, whereas everyone else walked everywhere.
  19. My neighbour's business was unusually successful,
  20. And for years I couldn't understand why.
  21. Then I realised having a bike meant he could get
  22. Where he wanted to go without much trouble.
  23. Other local carpenters could only accept jobs in a three-kilometre radius.
  24. So no matter how skilled they were, they could never do
  25. As many jobs as my neighbour.
  26. At Pedal Power, we collect second-hand bikes
  27. In the UK and send them to some of the poorest regions in the world.
  28. When we distribute bikes overseas, we don't give them away for free.
  29. We'd like to, but long-term that doesn't really help the local economy.
  30. The demand for bikes is enormous, which makes them very expensive locally.
  31. So we sell them for 5% of the normal price.
  32. But in order to continue operating,
  33. We need to have a constant supply of bikes
  34. Which we send out every six months.
  35. One example of a town that's received bicycles from Pedal Power is Rivas.
  36. It was the first place I sent a full container of bicycles to.
  37. Most people there now own a bicycle.
  38. The local economy has developed so much, you wouldn't recognize it
  39. As the same place.
  40. In fact, There are more bikes than on the streets of Amsterdam,
  41. If you've ever been there.
  42. But pedal power still needs your help.
  43. You may have read about some of our recent problems in the British media.
  44. In August 2000, we simply ran out of money.
  45. We had containers of bikes ready to send,
  46. But no money to pay the bills.
  47. It was a terrible situation.
  48. We managed to ensure the bikes went out on time,
  49. But the other problems carried on for several months.
  50. Fortunately, in October 2001, we won an Enterprise Award,
  51. Which helped us enormously.
  52. We invested 15 of the £75,000 £75,000 prize money to help secure our future.
  53. Winning the award helped raise our profile,
  54. And the money enabled us to pay all our shipping costs,
  55. Which represent our greatest expense.
  56. Pedal power changes lives.
  57. When someone gets a bicycle from us,
  58. They see a 14% increase in their income.
  59. We're currently looking to invest in computers so
  60. That our office staff can do an even better job.
  61. Because of our work,
  62. People in a number of countries now have a better standard of living.
  63. So far, we've provided 46,000 46,000 people with bikes.
  64. But we'd like to send more,
  65. At least 50,000 50,000 by the end of the year.
  66. Now there are many ways in
  67. Which you can support the work of Pedal Power,
  68. Not just by taking a bike to a collection in your area.
  69. I should also like to say,
  70. If you do have a bike to donate,
  71. It doesn't matter what condition it's in.
  72. If we can't repair it, we'll strip it down for spare parts.
  73. Of course, to do that we always need tools,
  74. Which are expensive to buy,
  75. So we welcome any that you can give.
  76. Also, you could help by contacting the voluntary staff at our offices.
  77. They'll be able to suggest activities you could organise to bring in funds for us.
  78. People do all kinds of things, including of course sponsored bike rides.
  79. Also, we're always interested to hear of other places
  80. That would benefit from receiving a consignment of bikes, and welcome suggestions
  81. From people who've been to developing regions on their travels.
  82. We hope that by talking on radio programmes like this,
  83. We will be able to raise public awareness
  84. Which will lead to government organisations also giving us regular financial support,
  85. Something that we really need.
  86. If you'd like some more information about
  87. Where to donate an old bicycle, or offer help
  88. In other ways, please contact us on...