KnoxNews-Dec2021

REPAIRING BIKES TO HELP
NEW FAMILIES IN CANADA
By Adam Wasik, Secondary Principal
You shall treat the stranger who
sojourns with you as the native among
you, and you shall love them as yourself,
for you were strangers in the land of
Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:34
am very excited to begin our bicycle
I repair club in its new workshop
space this year. Students in the club
will learn how to repair bikes using
professional tools under the guidance
of a former industry expert. We will
use our skills to provide bicycles
to refugee families in our local
community, as part of our partnership
with Journey Home.
We are grateful to Cap’s Bicycle Shop
in New Westminster for facilitating the
donation of dozens of bikes for us to
repair and refurbish. Their partnership
and support have made this program
possible. Bicycles are ideal for new
families in Canada as they are an
inexpensive mode of transportation that
does not require insurance, licenses, or
fuel; with the added bonus of being a
great source of exercise and fun!
As the program grows and our
student-mechanics develop their
knowledge and skills, we hope to
raise funds and become a financially
sustainable, student-run program
by repairing community bikes and
selling additional refurbished bikes.
Through these experiences, bike club
members will learn the necessary
skills for potential employment in a
professional bike store.
Our bike repair club is just one way that
our students are growing in their gifts
and finding ways to use those gifts to
share Christ’s love. Currently, students
in Grades 7-12 are also participating in a
fitness challenge fundraiser for Journey
Home. Students at the secondary
campus have been learning about
refugees and their experiences, and we
are looking forward to hearing the story
of a local refugee from SE Asia at an
upcoming chapel.
Photos:
Adam Wasik teaching students how to repair a bike in
the new bicycle repair workshop space
16 | Knox News - December 2021