Day 3

Spare parts for wheelchairs in Burkina Faso

On three wheels into a self-determined life On three wheels into a self-determined life

Wheelchair spare parts for people with disabilities in Burkina Faso

The former Paralympic champion from Burkina Faso, Edouard Ouedraogo, was once asked in an interview what life was like without legs. "Imagine," the wheelchair user replied at the time, "there are people who have no heart! That is much worse." For almost 20 years, Edouard has been helping people with disabilities to get mobile again in a wheelchair workshop in Ouagadougou. People who suffer from physical limitations can apply for a hand-operated three-wheeled wheelchair here, or have their wheelchairs repaired for a small fee. The three-wheeled wheelchairs are sturdily built and can be powered by a hand crank. These "roller bikes" can also be used on uneven terrain and sandy roads.

need

Need for inexpensive spare parts for wheelchairs to be distributed to destitute people with disabilities.

activity

Purchase of various spare parts such as spokes, brake pads, gears, tubes, chains and tires to repair the wheelchairs.

Measurable performance

Number of different spare parts that can be used to repair wheelchairs.

Result

People with walking disabilities become mobile for a self-determined everyday life, attending school and pursuing a career.

Systemically relevant impact

Improving mobility, autonomy and quality of life for numerous people with walking disabilities and their families.

background

There is no comprehensive health system in Burkina Faso. People with physical disabilities often have to cope with their everyday lives without mobility aids or medical care. According to the World Bank, almost 14% of Burkina Faso's population lives with a disability. Almost half of them are not employed and more than 70% of children with disabilities have no access to school education. This makes it difficult for them to lead an independent and self-determined life.

The good deed

Thanks to today's donations, physically disabled people can apply for a wheelchair in the wheelchair workshop and maintain and repair the wheelchair themselves under professional supervision over the long term. The mobile wheelchair workshop also reaches people in the surrounding villages and carries out repairs directly on site. The good deed enables the purchase of various spare parts such as spokes, brake blocks, hand pedals, gears, tubes, chains and tires to repair the wheelchairs.