All wheels for good: Removing barriers to opportunity

How a simple act of teamwork turned into a path toward education and hope beyond borders.

At our last European team building event, we kicked off our company-wide volunteering program, Scilife for Good, with the intention to give back every time we get together in person, and beyond, within our own communities.

During that kick off, we got our hands dirty cleaning a local beach and even helped rescue some animal friends in Altafulla.

It was sweaty, sandy, and heartwarming — and it left us with a shared question:

How can we make our impact reach even further?

This October, that question led us to an exciting collaboration that had us putting on our thinking caps and turning into bike experts for a day!

“Building those bikes together reminded me that impact starts with small, intentional actions. Seeing Scilifers roll up their sleeves and put their hearts into it made me realize how powerful kindness can be when it’s shared.”

Liris Briceno

Brand Manager

Gearing up to make a difference

The search for a meaningful impact led us to Intress, a Spanish non-profit organization that is at the forefront of delivering social services and supporting people facing vulnerability and exclusion.

With more than 200 services across Spain, Intress works across areas such as childhood and families, mental health, equality, and community inclusion — all grounded in the belief that with people, we can turn differences into opportunities.

Together, we decided to create something tangible. Something that would bring real, measurable joy to those who need it most.

The solution? Two wheels, a frame, and a whole lot of teamwork.

“There was a moment when we finished tightening the last bolts and stepped back to see the bikes ready — I couldn’t help but smile thinking about the kids who’d soon be riding them. As a Scilifer, it was inspiring to see how teamwork and purpose come together beyond the workplace, and even a few hours of our time can make a lasting difference."

Dmytro KinoshenkoGolang Software Engineer

Building bikes, building futures

In true Scilife spirit, we turned our teamwork into action.

Divided into small teams (and under the watchful eyes of expert bike mechanics), we rolled up our sleeves to build brand-new bicycles from scratch.

But these weren’t just any bikes.

They were destined for children in under-resourced regions in Africa who walk long distances every day just to get to school.

For them, a bike isn’t just a ride, it’s freedom, time, and opportunity.

What was once an over-hour-long trek becomes a manageable ride. Energy that would have been spent on the journey can now be redirected to learning, to growing, to simply being a kid. 

“As a firm believer in leaving the world a better place than how we found it, the opportunity to build the bikes was super rewarding. What made the activity special was its simplicity: a straightforward task on our side can really improve lives on the other. I loved working as a team to build the bikes and see how everyone was focusing on the tiny details to ensure the finished product was safe and ready to make a difference. ”

Andrea JoppichCustomer Success Operations Manager

Pedaling beyond borders

The program has already shown life-changing results.

According to the charity that’s been running the program for years, children who receive a bike are not only able to save energy on their daily commutes — they’re also far more likely to continue into higher education.

As we tightened the last bolts and adjusted the brakes, we couldn’t help but imagine the miles those bikes would travel and the dreams they might help carry forward.

By the end of the day, we had six shiny bikes lined up and a renewed sense of purpose in our hearts.

“Meeting the whole team and participating in events together made us better colleagues and better people in general. The fact that we could, while doing team building, also give back to people who don't have access to the same resources, just makes the moment more special. This time we built bikes that will help kids have a better home/school relationship and allow them to have more time to dedicate to their studies. ”

Miguel MansoSenior Backend Engineer

"I absolutely loved how our Scilife for Good event this year blended creativity, teamwork, and purpose into one meaningful experience. It reminded me how powerful collaboration can be when it’s driven by purpose. Knowing that the bicycles we built will help children in Africa who travel long distances just to get to school truly moved me. Many of them are already tired before the day even begins! And this small gesture will certainly make a real difference in their lives. It makes me really proud to be part of Scilife."

Juan Carlos TorresOnboarding Project Manager

Until next time...

As we wrap up another unforgettable Scilife team building in Europe, one thing is clear: When Scilifers come together, amazing things happen: for us, for others, and for the world around us.

Here’s to more laughter, more learning, and more miles of good deeds ahead.

There’s a lot more good yet to be done, and we’re looking for hands to help us. Take a look at our careers page!

 

Want to see how we turn values into action? Explore our Scilife for Good initiative and discover how we’re making an impact.