Wheels of change: Empowering lives in Meru County
The Disability Community Centre (DCC) is a community-based organisation in north Meru, Kenya, dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. In collaboration with Motivation Africa, the DCC received 54 wheelchairs for children and adults with disabilities in the local community. Hands Around the World (HATW) supported the DCC with transport costs, staff training, wheelchair assessment, assembling, distribution and follow-up activities.
In December 2024, the DCC collected the 54 wheelchairs from the Motivation Africa warehouse in Kajiando, Kenya, and transported them to Meru County, where they were stored and later assembled and distributed to the recipients.
Eight of the DCC staff members attended two training sessions, teaching them how to assess and assemble the wheelchairs. The staff continued with on-the-job training to ensure all wheelchairs were correctly assembled. Assembling of the wheelchairs took time as they were in many pieces and on average staff were only able to assemble three wheelchairs a day.
On the 27th December 2024, the DCC invited all stakeholders to collect their wheelchairs at the DCC office. The distribution team was comprised of DCC staff, the HATW in-country Coordinator, the Motivation Africa team, the Methodist Church, parents and carers of children with disabilities, six teachers from special schools and students, group representatives of persons living with disabilities and community members. It was a great day, with Media Weru TV filming the event, and the Meru County Women’s Representative also attending.
The wheelchair recipients were previously identified by the DCC with the help of the local community, teachers and other stakeholders. On distribution day, the team managed to distribute 22 wheelchairs, the team adjusted the wheelchairs to ensure they fitted correctly and adapted them according to the sizes of the children and the adults receiving them. There was a great attendance, with children and adults arriving in large numbers, some being carried on the backs of their relatives.
Following the distribution, the DCC staff also undertook school visits to carry out follow-up visits with the wheelchairs users and to also take measurements of those who had not yet received their wheelchairs. The team visited five special schools in the local area.
Yvonne who is 8 years old, received one of the wheelchairs from the DCC. Her mother said she had been carrying Yvonne on her back for many years. She appreciated the support provided by the DCC and HATW. Yvonne is delighted to be returning to school.
Stephen is 75 years old and after suffering a stroke eight years ago is paralysed on one side of his body. Since then, his relatives have been carrying him on their backs. Stephen received a wheelchair and was very happy. His family said the burden of carrying their father has been lifted.
This project has been a huge success and will improve the quality of life for the wheelchair recipients with enhanced mobility and independence. The provision of a wheelchair will reduce their dependence on others, enabling them to carry out daily tasks. The wheelchairs will promote inclusion and enable the beneficiaries to participate in community, social, and economic activities, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation by providing access to education, employment, and other essential services and opportunities.
Thank you for helping to make such a big difference to these people’s lives.