Mobility

Wheelchairs

People with mobility issues are confined to distant village huts, hidden away back streets, and empty rooms in nondescript houses. They live invisible lives, alone and lonely, unable to contribute to society, their church, their school, or their community.

The Malawi Project has tackled the problem head-on and worked to alleviate the suffering. The loss to their communities, families and themselves cost everyone. The Project has tried, when possible, to focus mobility assistance in ways that will allow the recipient to live a more normal and productive life.

All-Terrain Wheelchairs

ELIZA MILANZI

Malawi struggles with a critical need for mobility devices. Intense poverty, a cash-starved government, and an overwhelmed medical system highlight a system unable to supply the needs of more than a very, small percentage of its population. Malawi is primarily a rural society, where most of the population travels from place to place by walking along dirt paths. Few buildings are wheelchair accessible, and even fewer village huts have doors large enough for a wheelchair to enter.

As part of its medical outreach, members of the Malawi Project sent the first wheelchairs to the country in 1997. This marked the beginning of a program that would expand over the years, ultimately reaching people nationwide. 

In 2001, a joint program was begun between the MalawiProject and Free Wheelchair Mission based in Irvine, California. Asa result, entire shipping containers of wheelchairs started flowing to Malawi,with distribution soon reaching all three regions of the country. Over the nextfifteen-years over 4,500 all-terrain wheelchairs were distributed. Thesewheelchairs were built with large bicycle tires for ease of movement and repair.This design allowed easier navigation over the rough terrain of rural,mountainous Malawi.

Hand-Propelled Mobility Units

Chemwemwe Chelewani

In the fall of 2015, members of the Malawi Project were introduced to Bob and Arla Gabrielse. They direct the efforts of one of 29 Mobility Worldwide production facilities focused on the construction and distribution of hand-peddled mobility units. Their plant in Demotte, Indiana is Mobility Ministries. In early 2016 the first 200 hand-propelled mobility units were on their way to Malawi. The need for mobility assistance is obvious as accidents, cerebral malaria, the lingering effects of generations of polio, as well as an inadequate medical system have left thousands with no hope of adequate movement. Combine the overwhelming need with a lack of funds to purchase mobility transportation, and the result is long term isolation and unproductive life. For a mobility-impaired population listed at 418,669 in 2018, these units offered hope for living a productive and independent life.

Smith Kenamu

The program grew quickly as Mobility Ministries turned a major focus toward helping the people of Malawi. In late 2019 the Mobility Worldwide plant in Holland, Michigan joined the Demotte plant by supplying units specifically for children, and by early 2020 over 1,300 units had been shipped by the two plants. Along with a large number of canes and walkers, the effort to confront the mobility needs of Malawi is a major program for the U.S. based Malawi Project, and its Malawi sister organization, Action for Progress.

Mobility Stories

  • I WANT TO OWN A GROCERY STORE

    I WANT TO OWN A GROCERY STORE

    In a country where almost half of the population is out of employment at any given time, what are the chances a school drop-out will find a job?

  • LIFE IN PRISON

    LIFE IN PRISON

    Mitole, Chiradzulo District … Action for Progress continues to crisscross the nation assisting those with mobility problems. At its heart there are many life-changing stories. Literally thousands of people have been helped, either directly or indirectly. School dropouts have gone back to school, those failing in business are now able to work with the help …

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  • TRAVEL FREELY – NOT EVERYONE!

    TRAVEL FREELY – NOT EVERYONE!

    Mangochi, Malawi … Mangochi is located near the southern end of Lake Malawi. Because of its strategic location it serves as a major crossroads for east-west travel from Malawi to Mozambique and north-south travel in Malawi. Its population has grown from 3,341 in 1977 to well over 50,000 today. However, just because one lives in …

    TRAVEL FREELY – NOT EVERYONE! Read More »

  • MOBILITY CEREMONIES – ALWAYS REMARKABLE

    MOBILITY CEREMONIES – ALWAYS REMARKABLE

    MOBILITY – A MOST REMARKABLE EVENT Kayemmbe Village, Malawi… The team from Action for Progress (AfP) and members from the Malawi Project came to this village the week earlier to distribute food. Crops had failed in this area and the grain bins were nearly empty. A large crowd had gathered, much larger than expected. Because …

    MOBILITY CEREMONIES – ALWAYS REMARKABLE Read More »

  • FIVE SHIPMENTS LEAVE FOR MALAWI

    FIVE SHIPMENTS LEAVE FOR MALAWI

    Lebanon, Indiana … The first 40-foot shipping container of the year rolled out of Lebanon, Indiana on Thursday 16 March around noon, destined for Malawi. Three other loads were being arranged one in Arkansas, another in northern Indiana and yet another in Michigan. As the Lebanon shipment, filled with educational materials, medical supplies, and agricultural systems, …

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  • PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING HERE!

    PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING HERE!

    Mabvuto Msungata Malembo Village, Malawi … “People who are looking for help with mobility issues are flocking to Action for Progress,” reports Wilson Tembo, Executive Director for AfP. “With the number of needed units running into the thousands it seems personnel from AfP are on the road all of the time ensuring the units get into the right …

    PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING HERE! Read More »

  • SHORTAGES MOVE FROM FOOD TO FUEL, AND MEDICAL TO POWER

     In Malawi this idea of problems (or disasters) coming in groups of three is alive and well and coming in numbers even larger than three. This time it is hitting with the force of four or more. One must realize words and phrases mean different things in different parts of the world. This is especially true in Malawi.

  • FOUR SHIPPING CONTAINERS IN TWO WEEKS

    FOUR SHIPPING CONTAINERS IN TWO WEEKS

    In only ten days, four 40-foot shipping containers rolled up to the Action for Progress warehouse west of Lilongwe.

  • I NEVER SAW IT COMING

    I NEVER SAW IT COMING

    A brand new green and blue mobility unit was wheeled out and fitted for Mwachira Pasiyano. He peddled around the AfP warehouse and grounds.

  • FOURTEEN SUCCESS STORIES ALL AT ONCE

    FOURTEEN SUCCESS STORIES ALL AT ONCE

    Mbingwa Village … They were already waiting when the three members of the Board of Directors for the Malawi Project arrived at a school near their village. Jim Messenger, Dan Brewer, and Dick Stephens had only arrived the day before, but Wilson Tembo and his team with Action for Progress were not losing a minute …

    FOURTEEN SUCCESS STORIES ALL AT ONCE Read More »

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