alleviating poverty | promoting human rights | removing barriers for people with disabilities in Africa
Transform a life.
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When you make a contribution to Uhambo you are impacting some of the world's most vulnerable people -- people with disabilities in rural areas of Africa.
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"Providing wheelchairs that are appropriate, well-designed and fitted not only enhances mobility, but also opens up a world of education, work and social life for those in need of such support.”
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Are you wondering how to pronounce our name?
OOH-hum-bow! Uhambo means journey or travelling forward in Xhosa, a South African language. |
May 2013 News
Uhambo Publicity
Thanks to the following organizations for featuring our work! Using Playtime to Help 100 Children EcoPlanet Bamboo Supports Uhambo |
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The Problem
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People with disabilities are the largest marginalized group in the world, and often among the poorest. Solving this social problem relies on addressing the following issues.
LACK OF ACCESS People living in townships, informal settlements and rural areas of Africa have less access to resources and services than those living in developed or urban areas. They contend with poor living conditions, nutrition, and hygiene, and lack of access to basic health services and they are trapped in the cycle of poverty and exclusion due to physical, cultural and system barriers. THE FULL PACKAGE A wheelchair is only one tool. It is useless without the proper services, support and policies to promote social change for people with disabilities in developing areas such as Africa. STANDARDS Few donated wheelchairs meet WHO’s definition of “appropriate”. (See below.) |
SKILLS
Wheelchair users, their caregivers and parents seldom receive critical basic health care information or training to assist them in managing their health, disability and their wheelchairs. IMPROPER FIT Many users receive donated devices that do not fit them properly which often leads to the development of serious secondary health complications like pressure sores and severe deformities. INSUFFICIENT DATA Adequate and compelling evidence supporting best practice, economic impact and improved quality of life needs to be collected to inform and influence policy makers and funders. RIGHTS & POLICIES Government policies do not support the rights of this vulnerable population and those that are in place are not put into practice. |
The Solution: Uhambo | USA
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Unique & Powerful Solutions
Who We Are
Uhambo is dedicated to:
Why We Do What We Do According to the World Health Organization approximately 65 million people worldwide require the use of a wheelchair due to a disability. As many as 80% of those who need wheelchairs live in low income and developing regions, such as Africa. Only a small percentage of those who need a wheelchair have one, not to mention have access to other services and resources to support them with their disabilities. Our Mission Uhambo provides education, fundraising and advocacy by engaging with strategic partnerships to support the mission and programs of Uhambo, the Shonaquip Foundation of South Africa. The following video is produced by the World Health Organization and shares the story of why an appropriate wheelchair is important to a wheelchair user. |
What We Do
Uhambo addresses the problem at every level by providing superior programs that are aligned with the WHO Guidelines. Our solutions include: 1. Appropriate Products & Services
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What the heck does "appropriate" even mean?
According to WHO's Guidelines on the Provision of Wheelchairs, a wheelchair is appropriate when it:
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An example of an inappropriate wheelchair found in areas of Africa.
Unsupported sitting without correct assistive device causes discomfort, pain, secondary health problems, development of deformities in the musculo-skeletal system |
An example of an appropriate wheelchair that meets the World Health Organization's Guidelines on the Provision of Wheelchairs in Less Resourced Countries.
Appropriate products are designed to delay the development of health complications caused by incorrect positioning. Read how an appropriate chair can change a wheelchair user's life. |
