From PP Bev Edwards:

I am passing on information I received from Michelle Bailey of the Keystone Rotary International E-Club on the Build-A-Chair project. In the summer of 2021, Smoky Hill Rotary contributed funds for 4 custom built wheelchairs for residents in a rural area in Tanzania.  Attached are pictures and the stories of the 4 recipients of the wheelchairs describing how their lives have been significantly improved because of their new-found mobility.   

Michelle also alerted me that her club is working on a global grant for a mobile health clinic in the same area of Tanzania.  Stay tuned for a possible request to participate in what sounds like a great project.

 

“Hello Beverly,

I hope this note finds you well.  We have had a long winter here in PA with lots of snow:).  We are to get some more tonight.

 I wanted to share with your club the four individuals' lives you changed with  your club donation to our project.  I also have some exciting news.  Our project just completed its second year and we have provided custom, locally made wheelchairs for over 100 individuals with disabilities.  

Our team has make the decision to continue helping in the Moshi, Tanzania area and are preparing to submit a global grant application for a Mobile Clinic. Many areas go underserved and we would like to impact this situation. 

 We see the mobile clinic as a way to provide some level of healthcare to those in outlying areas. The mobile clinic will also allow us to transport patients to hospital when needed and to deliver our wheelchairs to our clients.

I would love to share this initiative with your club and provide them an update on our work.  Please let me know if this may be of interest.  Attached are your four recipients as well as a flyer on our Global Grant.

Many thanks,

Michelle”

Irene is a 16yrs old girl, who lives at Olgilai Arusha. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 3 years old. When we visited her the first time she had no wheelchair and her parents said that she just sits on a chair outside her house. She can eat with assistance, play with others and interact with other people, but can’t speak. By giving her access to a wheelchair it will help her caregivers and most important allow Irene to sit more comfortably with support.  She will now be able to go to the playground and play with fellow children, and also interact with other people in the community. During delivery of the wheelchair the family, their pastor and neighbors were really happy to see it and very thankful that it will help Irene since she will be able to go anywhere! The pastor said that “It’s time to take Irene to the church for prayers and I hope to see her this coming Sunday” and everyone was happy to hear that.

Last Sunday was the first Sunday she went to church after more than 6 years since her mother was no longer able to carry her from their home to church.  A happy day for all!

 

Henry is a 68 old man who lives at Uchira Moshi. He was diagnosed with polio in 1954 and his parents took him to Mawenzi hospital but he didn’t get treatment and was told his condition had no cure. So Mr. Henry continued living with his condition and he acquired skills of shoe making which gives him income together with support from family and friends.

When we approached him he did not use a wheelchair and crawled on the ground to get from place to place!  We saw a great need to help him get a wheelchair and we took measurements and were ready for production.  We delivered him his wheelchair and it was a very joyous day!  He was happy and thankful for our support and said that he will now be able to live his life in a better way and get out and about.  A new life for Henry!

Gibson is a 23 yrs old man who lives at Tabora Igunga. In the year 2015 he started feeling numbness which started below the chest to the legs and went to Muhimbili hospital where he was managed and later symptoms disappeared.  A few months later symptoms reappeared and he went to Ocean road hospital where he was diagnosed with cancer and received chemotherapy ten times. After the management he went home but could not walk again and used a wheelchair that was given by someone who he met in Ocean road although the chair wasn’t suitable enough to meet his needs. Currently at  home he is not in a position to work and gets support from his family.  Since his wheelchair was not in a good shape in meeting his demand he contacted us and we offered him a wheelchair where his measurements were taken and a wheelchair was made. Upon delivery of the wheelchair  Gibson was so thankful and happy since from now he can go outdoors and look for employment.  Thanks to Rotary and EPT clinic for making this happen!

 

Elihaika is a 7 yrs old girl who lives at Njia panda Moshi. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a very young child and she has been receiving physiotherapy services ever since. At the moment Elihaika can eat with assistance, can’t speak but she is able to interact with other kids. She lives with her mother and during the day her grandmother takes care of her when her mother goes to work.

When we first visited her she didn’t have a wheelchair for support and mobility and was crawling with her bottom and used to sit on a stool or lay in bed. During the day of delivery her mother was very happy and she said “Thank you very much for the wheelchair may you all be blessed. ” She also said that by Elihaika having her own wheelchair it will help her with support and also give her more chance of doing other activities while she sits on the chair.