Hi everyone, my name is Christopher Ategeka. I was the oldest of five children and became an Orphan after losing both parents to HIV/AIDS. After escaping from my uncles farm where I was used as a human scarecrow, I was picked up by a non-profit called YES Uganda. Now I have earned 2 degrees at UC Berkeley and run three companies.

I am here to raise money and awareness for my non-profit, CA Bikes. We provide bike ambulances to underserved villages in rural Uganda where emergency transportation doesn't exist. Recently at one location using only two bike ambulances, we were able to safely transport 27 expecting mothers to the health facility and return the new families back home. These ambulances had only been there for two weeks. Check us out on our facebook page, or donate through our website!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

proof

Forbes 30under30

edit2: The sites back up! Feel free to head over and take a look. CA Bikes edit: Thank you reddit for the love! The site has gone down for now. We are working on it but in the meantime please bookmark the site if you want to take a look or donate later.

edit3: Thanks everyone for such great questions; I had an amazing time. I am off for now but don't hesitate to comment if you still have questions. Peace and Love!

Comments: 1247 • Responses: 57  • Date: 

mathquestion1768 karma

Hi Chris, thanks for doing this AMA. Do you have any tips for students to stay focus and keep motivated? What was your study schedule like? Thank you!

cabikes1135 karma

The short answer is Passion! If you don't know your passion; dig deep within---its in there. Because with passion comes determination and hard work and the desire to get to the top. (Lots of "NO or miniman Sleep" days :) Not good for your health tho)

cuddlesfish602 karma

Have you seen your uncle or any family since?

cabikes1160 karma

Yes (once in a while); and yes you guessed it right... He loves to take credit for all that I have done because he raised me right lol

Fireflash51409 karma

Why do you even talk to your uncle anymore? Someone who treaded you terribly like that shouldn't deserve even a second of your time, no?

cabikes2181 karma

I do not want anyone in my past to live rent free in my head (thats what happens when you hold a grudge). I would like to save those gigabytes of space for something important. Regardless of what happens to you in life, in the end--Love wins!

frideswide348 karma

You sound like a happy person. What a wonderful way to think!

cabikes736 karma

I am happy. Sad only brings you down :)

PacifisticJ284 karma

How much did your life change after running away? What changed most about it? Could you describe what you do with your 3 companies? What's the scariest shit you've seen?

You are really inspiring. Thank you.

cabikes798 karma

I am the luckiest guy alive...I am leaving the dream Three meals a day...(Thats luxury by the way) I have enough to never have to worry

companies 1. CA Bikes-Non-profit (we build bike ambulances-cabikes.org) 2. Biotech we build DIY instant diagnostic devices-you get results on your cellphone 3. HY (Software) a web platform for medical devices

one of the scariest moments

Thanks for the question. Scariest moment has to be... Near death escape experience...Chimp battle I was about 8 or 9yrs during a heavy storm;running home from the field and came across a baby chimp that appeared to be miserable, lost, and abandoned. I grabbed it and put it on my back attempting to take it to a secure place. Before I knew it a massive beast appeared from the thick bushes that stretched beyond the village...which turned out to be the mom Chimp and ripped me into pieces. The part of that whole ordeal that saved me was the idea that half of "mom Chimp effort" was going into protecting the baby. Otherwise you and I will never know how that would have turned out. I still have enough scars for memories

Badluck27254 karma

Did you scare away birds well?

cabikes423 karma

birds, chimps, baboon, monkeys and anythin' in between

GentLemonArtist154 karma

Please confirm whether birdmonkeys were the worst?

cabikes277 karma

monkeys are sneaky. Birds can just run with just one stone throw

Made_in_Boston196 karma

How do you feel about the way Americans live their lives?

cabikes746 karma

Different culture = different context I found things like spending billions of $$ on pets very interesting while there is homelessness everywhere as well as millions of kids in foster care that need a home. Its just different

pinkelephant3167 karma

Would you ever consider becoming a foster parent? As a social worker for foster care kids I can personally attest to how badly good foster parents are needed!

cabikes386 karma

Definitely! I am waiting to be able to afford it. In the meantime; I am helping kids through motivational talks to remind them of their potential. And tell them to never ever give up

AphiTrickNet187 karma

GO BEARS!!!

cabikes136 karma

Ditto!

EndersInfinite54 karma

GO Bears! Just graduated with a B.A. in Public Health from Cal this past summer... feel free to contact me with job opportunities... haha :)

Aside from that, congratulations on everything you've achieved. You are a model for success that I can only hope to emulate in the best way that I can

cabikes104 karma

srirachagoodness179 karma

How much does it cost to build the bicycles?

cabikes222 karma

$100

OdoyleStillRules192 karma

$100 dollars for a single bicycle? I may have to fund one myself. Where can I do this? And how many people can a single bicycle impact? Is one enough to help an entire village?

cabikes220 karma

cabikes.org click the donate button

yasserkhan19 karma

this is awesome, congrats on positively changing the world.

cabikes14 karma

Thanks

SeasonalVisions168 karma

What kind of hobbies do you have?

cabikes420 karma

I am a pilot...love flyn' I run marathons I love Music/dancing good for the soul

dan-syndrome144 karma

Do you ever visit Adams? You're such an inspiration to others!

cabikes156 karma

Thanks for the kind note! Yes, I see her atleast once a year her program has supported over 1000 people like me DR's Lawyers Nurses teachers....etc

i_crave_more_cowbell130 karma

What do you consider your biggest failure?

cabikes457 karma

When my parents past I was responsible for my four younger siblings. I lost a brother in my care...I felt like I failed him

Buttsack_115 karma

How did it feel when you left your uncle's field? How did it feel when you got your degree? What was your scariest moment on the field?

cabikes323 karma

Graduation = surreal > Scariest moment has to be... Near death escape experience...Chimp battle I was about 8 or 9yrs during a heavy storm;running home from the field and came across a baby chimp that appeared to be miserable, lost, and abandoned. I grabbed it and put it on my back attempting to take it to a secure place. Before I knew it a massive beast appeared from the thick bushes that stretched beyond the village...which turned out to be the mom Chimp and ripped me into pieces. The part of that whole ordeal that saved me was the idea that half of "mom Chimp effort" was going into protecting the baby. Otherwise you and I will never know how that would have turned out. I still have enough scars for memories

miscmantheman109 karma

Jesus Christ, you are a certified badass

cabikes164 karma

thank you!

cabikes122 karma

Thank you!

Arteestic193 karma

No questions, just wanted to say amazing work. Best wishes to you and your family.

cabikes67 karma

Thanks

nightmares_4287 karma

Who paid for your university education?

cabikes241 karma

An amazing family in Oakland CA

PHYS10157 karma

Thank them on behalf of the world for unleashing you as a force for good.

cabikes60 karma

I tell them "every day"

JesseisWinning83 karma

What was the most advanced technology back in Uganda that you dealt with on the daily basis?

Thanks!

cabikes272 karma

I didn't know what technology means You are only worried about what to eat today and thats about it

jaschen77 karma

Are you sponsoring or planning on bringing any kids from Uganda to the states to study?

cabikes189 karma

I sponsor a lot of kids in Uganda because the cost of leaving is cheaper Also you have to be pretty stable (financially) to afford sponsoring a kid in the states

JesusJumpsJews59 karma

Thank you for doing an AMA you sir are an inspiration !! My one question to you is, how do I get involved with helping in Uganda? Anything you can recommend? Thank you!

cabikes68 karma

http://cabikes.org/ You can donated through the link you can physically get there and i can help you--link you to places to work or simply spread the word

JesusJumpsJews38 karma

Thank you so much for responding, and I am speaking of physically helping, hands on work.

cabikes56 karma

Come by! I will get u some work or atleast direct you cabikes.org

jwright1449 karma

Being a person who has had such a different and difficult experience early on in life and has now become so successful, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time and what are your interests?

cabikes81 karma

I am a pilot...love flyn' I run marathons I love Music/dancing good for the soul

reconman43 karma

What do you think of the Anti-Gay-law in Uganda?

cabikes77 karma

Just like there is Lobyists in DC for different policies; there is alot of religious Organizations who have dedicated lots of time and lots of money to make sure that law makers in Uganda pass the law

samson_thedog41 karma

Hey, I am in my freshman year in college and am interested in becoming an entrepreneur. I have a few ideas of my own and I was wondering how you were able to turn your ideas into a working business. It seems like a big step. Thanks!

cabikes105 karma

Just do it. There is no magic. Go for it

hyuga48833 karma

Hello, and thank you for doing this AMA! my question is how did you first come in contact with YES Uganda? Thanks again and I'm sorry for what happened to you early in life.

cabikes71 karma

Through a family friend who lived near this orphanage. He came in the village looking for me

CLone432 karma

First I'd like to say your story is inspiring thanks for doing this AMA

Do you think Uganda/other parts of Africa will be as fortunate as the rest of the world in 20-30 years? What do you think it would take from developed nations like the US to help Africa build their economy/education system/political system in general?

cabikes127 karma

Thanks for the kind note. Capacity building is whats lucking There is simply not enough philanthropic capital or foreign aid to solve Africa's problems on the scale they exist in the foreseeable future. To defeat Africa's challenges we must harness truly sustainable and scalable models by creating jobs for Africans and give them the tools to solve there own problems. This bottom-up capacity building approach promises lots of optimism and enormous potential for the future of Africa.

Pconradreilly31 karma

100 duck sized horses or one horse sized duck?

cabikes92 karma

One horse sized duck; you can dodge it run around it

conmanjeezy22 karma

Can I have a job??

Atomic_Armadillo22 karma

Hi Chris! Thanks for doing this AMA

1) Do you still visit Uganda?

2) Do you still have family there?

3) Any plans on migrating back to Uganda?

cabikes39 karma

  1. Yes
  2. Yes 4 siblings
  3. I am half the time there and half here

Atomic_Armadillo15 karma

Follow-up questions if you don't mind ^

Are you interested in getting into politics to improve your country? (not sure if you are interested in answering political questions though).

cabikes23 karma

U got it!

Atomic_Armadillo19 karma

Is that a yes or no? :P

cabikes52 karma

No Politics for me

mikayakatnt21 karma

What type of hats do you like to wear?

cabikes75 karma

fedora

ZeroCiipheR21 karma

Thanks for doing this AMA mr.Ategeka. Out of curiosity, do you happen to have any tips for a high school student that aspires to attend UC Berkeley, or just schools of that caliber in general?

cabikes30 karma

Good grades and community service hours will get you in :)

lespaul221319 karma

Favorite color?

cabikes31 karma

blue

mfosat17 karma

Hey Chris, great to see other Berkeley Alums doing great things! What do you think is the best way to help impoverished countries around the world? Direct Aid? Investment? Trendy "buy one give one free" shoes (my least favorite)?

cabikes40 karma

There is simply not enough philanthropic capital or foreign aid to solve Africa's problems on the scale they exist in the foreseeable future. To defeat Africa's challenges we must harness truly sustainable and scalable models by creating jobs for Africans and give them the tools to solve there own problems. This bottom-up capacity building approach promises lots of optimism and enormous potential for the future of Africa.

tedbradly17 karma

[deleted]

cabikes50 karma

Lots of studying at a community college here in CA and no sleep

ForgotMyAccountInfo17 karma

Has anyone ever contacted you on writing a book/movie based on your life?

cabikes36 karma

Waiting for it...

pikachu098714 karma

[deleted]

cabikes28 karma

Doing fine They are happy that I am here and able to provide for them

pikachu098714 karma

[deleted]

cabikes23 karma

u r right. shipping ends up being three time more than the item sent. Any dollar amount can go a long way. http://cabikes.org/

uew213 karma

Hello, do you believe in the American Dream? If so, what is it to you?

cabikes32 karma

There opportunity...thats whats lacking in the places like the one where i come from

reeserr12 karma

What are your degrees in? And what education did you receive in america? Did you goto highschool?

cabikes34 karma

BS MS and Now PhD candidate all in Mechanical Engineering

dwmdm10 karma

What other charitable organizations have you seen doing a lot of good work in Uganda?

You said you sponsor children there now. Who do you do that through?

cabikes19 karma

YES Uganda (Carol Adams)

kemistreekat10 karma

[deleted]

cabikes31 karma

In every negative thing that happens in life there is always a positive! Just look for the positive. If nothing else--its a learning experience

taimatsumaru10 karma

[deleted]

cabikes25 karma

They were sponsors to YES Uganda nothing special--they sent $25 a month thats what got me thru

oskartzon9 karma

Where did you go after you ran away?

cabikes28 karma

A friends house about 40km away

legolegol8 karma

What music are you listening to? Any recommendations? Where do you see technology going in the next 5-10 years? Thanks and stay awesome!

cabikes47 karma

Technology (5-10 yrs from now) = more robots less human interactions

Music: http://24hoursofhappy.com/

debraining6 karma

You were at FSM during dead week last semester and you commented on the marijuana-related stickers on my laptop and asked to use the outlet near me.... Who would have known!

cabikes5 karma

Small world :)

cuddlesfish6 karma

Have you written a memoir or plan on writing one?

cabikes22 karma

Someday... May be someday a publishing company will come by and help in this effort

Talkashie5 karma

Where do you think you would be today without the support from YES Uganda?

cabikes8 karma

An average Uganda; working hard to make ends meet but also In jail dead are possible scenerios

billcosby235 karma

Who has been the most inspirational person in your life? Also, we need more people like you in this world.

cabikes14 karma

My grand mother who has been deaf mute all her life! But never let her disability get in her way