OUR STORY
2010
Journey Towards Kyaro
Kyaro's journey began in 2010 when Sudi Muli, an occupational therapist in Tanzania, saw a shortage of appropriate therapy equipment. He started designing assistive devices tailored to his patients' needs to bridge this gap.
2018
Twende Collaboration
In 2018, Sudi teamed up with Colman and Eamon through the Jamii program at the Twende Center for Social Innovation. Together, they designed the first version of a multipurpose wheelchair for the Jaffery Academy Special Education Needs unit in Arusha.
Feedback and Development
After the program, Colman refined the wheelchair design and distributed prototypes to villages across Tanzania, collecting feedback. In talking with families, he discovered a significant unmet need for assistive devices beyond wheelchairs.
2019
Beyond Wheelchairs
In 2019, Kyaro broadened its focus to develop a variety of assistive devices. We collaborated with rehabilitation organizations across Tanzania to address the unique challenges faced by people with different disabilities, aiming to make Kyaro a hub for innovative assistive tech in the country.
2021
Arusha Workshop
In early 2021, Kyaro joined SIDO's incubation program, which provided the opportunity to set up a dedicated workshop. By March, the workshop was operational, and Kyaro hired its first technicians, marking a significant step in local production and employment.
Summer Volunteer Program
Since 2021, Kyaro has partnered with Olin College of Engineering on a summer volunteer program. This collaboration has led to innovative manufacturing processes and improved production efficiency, enhancing the quality and durability of our assistive devices.
2024
Milestone: 1000 Deliveries
Three years after our inception, we reached a significant milestone—delivering over 1,000 assistive devices! Our 1,000th delivery marked a special achievement: installing Tanzania’s first wheelchair-accessible swing at House of Hope in Zanzibar.
Today
Kyaro now employs a dedicated team of 13 in Arusha, producing around 50 assistive devices each month. We’re excited about the potential for rapid growth, aiming to make high-quality assistive technology accessible to more communities across Africa.
