Kyaro Collaborates With The Sibusiso Foundation
Just as we design our devices in collaboration with users and clinicians, we love to collaborate with other organizations so we can learn from each other as we advance our missions. One such organization we recently partnered with is The Sibusiso Foundation.
There are more than 100 tribes in Tanzania, each with their own unique traditions and customs. The Sibusiso Foundation’s mission is to ensure the dignity of mentally and physically disabled people from all cultural and religious backgrounds, to help them discover and develop their potential and to facilitate their integration into society. They do this through special education programs, counseling of family members, providing support to access social services such as schools and rehabilitation facilities, and by carrying out awareness campaigns about the rights, needs and situation of people living with disabilities in Tanzania. As part of their rehabilitation programs, they need quality assistive devices, and chose Kyaro to build them.
Every Kyaro device is designed specifically to fit each individual's physical and environmental needs. Tanzania is made up of diverse environments including both urban and rural areas and we strive to cater to users living in both. We take a four step approach to this: Assessment, Fabrication, Fitting, and Follow up. During the assessment, the Kyaro team visits the user’s home to evaluate the environmental and physical needs of the user, we then take measurements and record any preferences such as color of the wheelchair.
Last week, Colman and I traveled with a representative from Sibusiso to remote areas around Arusha, from the farmlands of Tengeru to the lush foothills of Mount Meru, where we visited the families of children enrolled into Sibusiso’s rehabilitation program. Most of the children we met did not have any wheelchairs, so their mobility was restricted to either crawling or being carried. The wheelchairs we did see were either sized incorrectly for the children or not tough enough for the rural environment.
During our assessment and fitting trips, we were accompanied by a physiotherapist from Sibusiso, who assisted in determining which Kyaro device would best facilitate each user's needs and help them reach their mobility goals.
One person we worked with was a 16 year old boy with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis. We were able to customize our Active Wheelchair to include a wooden backrest and lateral support, which will help prevent the progression of scoliosis and provide cushioning to make him more comfortable.
After the wheelchairs were made at the Kyaro workshop based on the measurements and specifications from the assessment, the team went back for the delivery and fitting of the device, where we also answered questions, provided training to users and caregivers and scheduled follow-ups. So far through our collaboration with The Sibusiso Foundation, we have delivered 6 wheelchairs and are working on 3 more over the course of this month.
Through partnerships such as these, we hope to increase our impact by breaking barriers and providing access to build a more inclusive and empowered Tanzania.
We’re always looking for ways to collaborate with other organizations to reach more people in need of assistive devices. If you or your organization are interested in working with us, we would love to hear from you!
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