Uganda, Soroti: Wheelchairs for disabled children
Uganda is a country in East Africa with a variety of problems. A large part of the population lives below the poverty line, the economy is developing poorly and various diseases are spreading. Added to this is the poor medical care and the inadequate school provision. Given these difficulties, it seems difficult to imagine that the Ugandan population has the time and energy to address the special needs of children with disabilities. The fact that there are still people who work for and with severely disabled children and their families has been documented several times on our website, see [1], [2]
In many African countries, people with disabilities do not have access to basic health services and medical care. There are also a very limited number of schools and facilities that cater to the needs of children with disabilities. As a result, many children with disabilities have difficulty getting around and participating in daily life.
Wheelchairs can significantly improve the lives of children with disabilities by providing them with mobility and independence. A wheelchair can help a child go to school, meet friends, and participate in activities they otherwise would not be able to do. It can also help the child be less dependent on others and have higher levels of self-esteem and confidence.
Action for Love’s project manager, Jefferson, visited a workshop in the capital Kampala in mid-October that produces wheelchairs for our PBF project. Some pictures do