MISSION STATEMENT  (Extended version)

Our mission is  “to improve safe⁽¹⁾, reliable⁽²⁾ and cost-effective⁽³⁾ transportation in a non-western-, development- or relief setting through providing quality⁽⁴⁾ knowledge transfer⁽⁵⁾ and practical experience⁽⁶⁾ on a not-for-profit basis.⁽⁷⁾ We assist aid- and development organisations⁽⁸⁾ to improve the quality of their fleet operations,^(2,3) spend less money on vehicles and save the lives of (inter)national travelling staff and their fellow road-users".⁽⁹⁾

1) Research shows that injuries or casualties resulting from road traffic accidents are the  NUMBER ONE health risk factor for aid-and development workers. For many organisations and companies, human capital is their biggest asset. As a result a lot of investment flows into preparation of staff. When working in the field, staff runs high risks when driving with unsafe drivers and/or cars.

2) A reliable vehicle will continue to roll, also when circumstances become nasty or dangerous. Thus keeping driver and passengers, cargo and the vehicle itself away from trouble and not needing yet another vehicle and staff to recover the vehicle when stranded. A reliable vehicle makes sure that the progress of a project is not delayed.

3) When a vehicle receives the minimum yet crucial amount of quality preventive maintenance, it will show no unplanned repairs or breakdowns and thus be a cost-effective tool to help reach the organisation’s objectives within a given budget.

4) In order to achieve high quality working standards, Safe-Wheels works with recognised and quality suppliers of vehicles, parts, tools, services and information.

5) Not knowing how a vehicle works can be of a big disadvantage when dealing with vehicle related issues.

6) Having obtained personal practical experience, gives more confidence, better judging capabilities and can be indispensable when training others or when working under pressing circumstances. Anecdotes provided by training participants.

7) By positioning service over profit, relations over price, quality over quantity and working with lean means, Safe-Wheels works on a cost-price basis, meaning that training products are calculated on the basis of cost price plus a minimum amount for making reservations for future costs / investments. Furthermore Safe-Wheels adheres to the principles of humanitarianism, sustainability, and environmental protection. Safe-Wheels is dedicated to making quality automotive knowledge available to those working in the aid-, development-, and relief sector to the less possible costs in order to make sure that the organisation’s budget is spent where it is meant to be: at projects. Safe-Wheels is independent and dedicated to training vehicle related issues only.

8) Safe-Wheels works with / for (inter)national (non)governmental and private organisations. We serve individuals including aid- and development workers, missionaries, world travellers, photographers, journalists, geologists, anthropologists, environmentalists, etc.

9) Along the lines of the “global road safety initiative” initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and executed by the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), training courses support best practices in driving in remote and vulnerable areas.