Wheelchairs for Africa Program
Donating wheelchairs to residents of Tanzania and Kenya in need, physically and financially.
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Criteria:
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Must live in Tanzania or Kenya
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Must have a physical disability or be a senior citizen to be eligible
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Must have wheelchair accessible housing/living arrangements
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5 wheelchairs will be given in the first year of the program with as many as can be afforded in subsequent years (to be determined based on need and funding)
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Wheelchairs given through the program, that are no longer needed, will be returned to the program, refurbished as necessary, and reused
How it works:
Word of mouth will be the program’s initial vehicle of growth. A board member from Tanzania and/or Kenya will serve as the contact on the ground. Through them, individuals in need will submit their contact information and condition of need. All legitimate cases will be evaluated on a first come/first serve basis and those in need will have a wheelchair delivered to them.
Why we’re doing it:
Having been born and raised in Tanzania, we are all too familiar with the poverty and fiscal inequality that exists in many African countries (and beyond). Often times, the elderly or sick in impoverished countries tend to give up on the idea that they can be valuable members of society, shrinking the average lifespan. In many cases, something as simple as a way to get around can be the difference between giving up and a newfound purpose. Financially, wheelchairs are not a realistic option for many people due to the cost and poor healthcare options available. Our goal is to make wheelchairs more accessible to those in need, to help give confidence and strength to the weak and elderly and improve their quality of life.
Who we are:
Anza Kidogo is a 501c3 non-profit organization on a mission to support, advance and empower our community (youth?) to achieve a more inclusive (peaceful, better, global, kind?) tomorrow through access to education and healthcare. It was started by 3 sisters hoping to do as much good as life allows and inspiring their children (and maybe others) to do the same. (make the world a little better and maybe inspiring their kids to do the same.?)
The Wheelchair program grew out of the desire to help a relative gain independence and a better life by helping pay for a wheelchair. Through this, the idea was born that there are many other people in a similar position who could continue to be productive and meaningful members of society through access to something as simple as mobility.