Le biciclette usate possono trasformarsi in macchinari utili a svolgere attività quotidiane e talvolta di vitale importanze, come estrarre l'acqua da un pozzo. A realizzarli è una piccola azienda fondata circa 20 anni fa a San Andres Itzapa (a 30 chilometri da Città del Guatemala).
Questi macchinari permettono alle famiglie povere di contadini di svolgere queste attività facendo a meno di carburante o elettricità. "Ogni macchina è stata inventata a seconda delle esigenze espresse dalle persone del posto", spiega Mario Juarez, uno dei fondatori di Maya Pedal.
Una famiglia della comunità locale ne utilizza fino a tre per pulire il mais, schiacciarlo e pompare l'acqua da un pozzo profondo 33 metri. Marta Gurrion, 30 anni, spiega che prima di avere questa macchina occorreva un giorno intero per produrre 100 chili di mais. Oggi riesce a produrne 700.
Le "bicimaquinas" sono donate alle famiglie bisognose oppure vendute con prezzi che vanno dai 75 a 725 dollari.
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