BICYCLES are becoming something of a revolution in the crowded streets of the UK; in Rwanda, they can totally transform life. The diocese of Ely, with donations from churches and individuals, has been able to purchase and send ten bicycles to its link diocese of Kigali, as part of the Bikes for Pastors project.

For one of the lay pastors, having a bike means that he can now get from his home to the church in 15 minutes rather than after an hour's walk. For him, and for his fellow pastors, besides helping in their parish work, having a bicycle makes a considerable difference to their family life, meeting daily challenges such as fetching water, or visits to hospital or the market, or even transporting food crops.

Since the terrible days of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, pastors, both lay and ordained, have been in the forefront of rebuilding the country, the Kigali Link Co-ordinator, the Revd Richard Kellow, says. They have been doing it "through prayer and engagement with their local communities, in both spiritual and practical ways".

The bicycles are a real help to them. Each bike costs between £70 and £90, and the diocese intends to go on supporting the project to send more.