The Making of A Wheel Chair Project

Wheelchair projects have been part of the Humanitarian services of the church for many years. The church gives out approx. 40,000 wheelchairs in 70 countries every year. We distributed about 200 wheelchairs when we served in the DRC, all were locally made as we were unable to bring wheelchairs into the country.

Today the wheelchair projects take on a very different approach. Seems the church realized that just giving wheelchairs was not the answer. People with disabilities needed to be matched with the right type of wheelchair and also have it fitted to each individual needs.

We knew the new guidelines when we came to Uganda and knew that if we wanted to complete a wheelchair project in the time frame of our mission we would have to start immediately to find the right partner (all humanitarian projects need a good partner).

Step 1: Determine what is happening in the country with wheelchairs. Search out vendors, unions, Ministry of Health, past projects. . hours of Internet search, etc

Step 2: Find a partner that has the same values and goals that the church does for distribution of wheelchairs.

Step 3: Arrange for LDS Charities Wheelchair Specialists to come in and help you evaluate the partner and write up the project. The church has developed specialists to help us Country Directors on all these major humanitarian projects including Vision, NRT, Water, Family Food Production and Wheelchairs.





Elder and Sister Dow, Wheelchair specialists for Uganda and several other African countries.



After much preliminary work we felt we had a couple of possibilities of partners so the Dows, our wheelchair specialists, came for a visit to help us understand the new guidelines and help us choose the right partner.

We visited three of the best workshops who were making wheelchairs.

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GYDA workshop in Gulu



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Mulago Hospital workshop



When we visited Gulu we met with Fred Semakula (Head of Gulu's People with Disabilities)and noticed that his chair was not a "in country" made chair and we could see why. He had a wonderfully mobile wheelchair that helped him move around the rough terrain with ease and it fit him well.

Step 4: Meet with your potential partner to determine if you are a good fit for a project.

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National Wheelchair Committee Members

Make a tentative plan of possibilities and who will have responsibility for what. Partners have to commit to taking on quite a bit of responsibility such as getting chairs through customs, securing chairs when they arrive and seeing that the chairs are distributed in an appropriate manner.

Step 5: Write up the project and submit it for approval to the Area Presidency.

Project:

• 354 Worldmade wheelchairs shipped from China
• 100 in-country wheelchairs to be made by local manufacturers ( although the chairs are not the standard of the wheelchairs we were bringing in we wanted to help the workshops increase their production and improve their skills.)
• 4 trainers to come to Uganda and train clinicians and technologists in prescribing, fitting and assembly of wheelchairs.
• Wheelchairs would be distributed free of charge by the members of the National Wheelchair Committee who represented 13 different centers all over Uganda.
• Wheelchairs would be distributed to first time users or people without a functioning wheelchair.

Project was submitted and approved in July of 2010. A tentative plan was set to do distribution in January or February of 2011.

Step:6 Wait for shipment of chairs and prepare for delays (we are in Africa, you know)

Delays . . . good thing we planned for them as:

• National Election in Uganda for February 2011 we realized Feb wasn't going to work.
• Back log in orders for wheelchairs delayed shipment
• Wheelchair shipment hung up in Durban for weeks while shipping tried to find the container.

We finally had word that the chairs were found and had been put on a boat to Mombasa and were expected in country June 17. Project training was scheduled for June 21-24. We were cutting it very close.

Step 7: Arrival - wheel chair or team? How about both and on time too.

On Friday night we heard from Rose that the chairs were at the border and Saturday morning when we called her to see if the chairs were processing customs she said they are delivered and we are unloading them at the hospital as we speak..

354 wheelchairs unloaded and stowed away in Mulago warehouse by Saturday afternoon - big accomplishment

That gave us time to stop at Banana Boat (local craft store) where Marcia could do some shopping before we had to head to the airport to pick up the training team. Training team flight on time and the 8 wheelchairs they brought on the plane (just in case the container didn't make it on time).were packed in Ssimbwa's van along with Blake Powell (technologist), Stephen Hunter Physical Therapist), Phil Arnold (Physical Therapist) and Steven Clark technologist).

They were a bit loopy after their long flight . Steve Clark tried to climb in the drivers seat of the van and didn't even notice he was behind the wheel till Elder Dow asked him if he knew how to drive in Uganda (Left side of the road).

Day 1 Setup

Put some demo chairs together to prepare for training.-

some people had nothing to do except pretend to be wheelchair experts - didn't catch a pic of the fall over backwards while trying to do a wheelie - it came right after the big grin.

But, others really did have to work to get prepared. Training was held at the Kololo

Finished in time to go to "The Source of the Nile". Well, some of us did but John and Farrell stayed at the chapel waiting for Mulago crew to bring wheelchairs for the training. We needed about 40 wheelchairs to have the trainees work on.

Day 2 First day of training

Opening Ceremony conducted by Rose Bongole, chairman of the NWC with guest speaker Pres. of the Ugandan People with Disabilities.

15 Clinicians, PTs and OTs, from 13 different organizations came to train on prescribing wheelchairs.

16 Technicians also came to learn how to assemble, adjust and fit wheelchairs.

Everyone, clinicians and technicians got a chance to see what it was like to be confined to a wheelchair.

We asked all the trainees if anyone had ever sat or tried to move around in a wheelchair. Surprising as it may seem, none had ever even sat in a wheelchair. It might be because of the superstition that if you sat in one you might end up needing one.

Ssimbwa struggled with the chair but eventually got it moving but going up a curb was not an easy task, possible but not easy.

True to the nature there was a wheelchair race egged on by Phil and Steve. Thought we might have a bloody finish but everyone stayed in their chairs that time.

New skills for the technicians. One technician said he had attended a training in Tanzania for 9 weeks but he learned more in this training than in all of the nine weeks in that training. Could be that our trainers had a great approach. Instead of telling everyone what to do they had them solve problems together and work out the best solutions. This certainly got everyone thinking and gave them great confidence.

It was logical that the clinicians learn about patient approach but one of the technicians when asked what new things he learned that would be most helpful he stated, " We learned to respect the patient, to kneel down and get on their level to speak to them, not to stand behind them and talk to them but to come around front where they could see us. We also learned to ask permission before we touched them. This was all new information to me and it will certainly affect the way I practice in the future."

Sis. Dow was a patient for the practice session. it was rather scary as they tried to figure out the best and safest way to get her on the platform.

Each Technician was given a tool kit. A technician and a Clinician will work together to prescribe and fit a wheelchair.

Each member organization of the National Wheelchair Committee will be given a certain number of wheelchairs to distribute. A clinician and Technician from the organization will interview the user and determine which type of wheelchair is needed - 3 wheel very maneuverable over rough terrain or 4 wheel which has the ability to fold up.

Rose Bongole, our partner and new friend needs a rest, she has worked very hard to get a contract negotiated, get the wheelchairs through customs without delay and arrange for a dignitary to attend the closing ceremony of our training. She is a doer - got to love doers - doers make things happen.

Day 4 The practical part of the training, THE DISTRIBUTION
Training is finished, time to prescribe some wheelchairs. The trainees are ready, they can't wait to go to work.

Thirty recipients were asked to come to this distribution for the trainers to practice on. We had specified that those receiving wheelchairs should be either first time users of a wheelchair (never owned a wheelchair) or not have a functioning chair at this time.

And they came . . .

Out front there was a band playing, there was excitement in the air. Not sure who ordered the band but nonetheless it played on welcoming the recipients as they came through the gate at the church. there could be something happening across the street at the Pres. of Uganda's personal airstrip but we appreciated the welcome to our training distribution. It fit right in.

They came who wanted to play wheelchair basketball. He was on the team but they play scooting around in the dirt because they do not have a wheelchair that is maneuverable enough to play basketball so they just scoot around on the ground. They are very fast but they kind of loose that competitive edge.

We tried to learn their background and how they were managing without a chair. For each one, life was hard and a chair would make life so much better, improve their ability to work and to enjoy family activities.

1. THE INTERVIEW

2. DETERMINE WHICH IS THE RIGHT CHAIR

3. MEASURE FOR A CUSTOM FIT

4. BUILD THE CHAIR PER THE Rx WRITTEN BY THE CLINICIAN

5. CLINICIAN AND TECHNICIAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE FINAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE BEST FIT.

.6. TAKE A TEST DRIVE AND LEARN SOME SKILLS

"Thankyou, this is my first time to have a wheelchair."

"I'm so happy"

"You have given me my dignity. God bless you."

This young man repairs shoes for a living he is divorced and has a young son. He has never had a wheelchair. He contracted polio 20 yrs ago and never walked again. A wheelchair opens up new opportunities for him.

This recipient left and returned to express his appreciation. He said, "I . . .I just don't have the words to tell you how grateful I am to receive this chair. Thank you."

Not sure who is the happiest, the technician and clinician or the recipient.

Wheelchairs are just one of those projects that gives you instant gratification. It is an amazing experience to see people's appearance and confidence totally change as they sit in their new wheelchair.

In the end what had we accomplished?

There are now 31 clinicians and technologists from 13 organizations who are trained in assessing, prescribing and fitting wheelchairs. These same organizations will be able to serve their clients by giving them a wheelchair that is custom fit for them.

The work is just starting. We have only finished the training now our partner will distribute 542 wheelchairs and three of our partners will make another 100 chairs in their own workshop. All these chairs will be given out in different areas of Uganda to people who have never had a wheelchair or people who do not have a functioning wheelchair.

A lot of work goes in to these wheelchair projects. To think we started planning this project over 1 year ago and the project won't be over until the last wheelchair is given out.. . . and that is the 2010 Wheelchair Project. We still have a 2011 project to get going on. Who ever said humanitarian work is easy.

Thanks to the Dows for their great leadership in putting this project together. Thanks to the trainers for taking time to come and offer an incredible opportunity in training to our partners.

Thanks to our partner, the National Wheelchair Committee, for their tireless efforts in carrying out their part of the agreement. And most of all, thanks to all of you who donate to LDS Charities making it possible for over 100 wheelchair projects just like this to happen every year all over the world.

We may be tired but we are having a great time serving in Uganda.

June a very busy month

June has a bad reputation in Uganda. It is the beginning of the dry season when the frequency of malaria increases. Farmers harvest their corn, matoke and fruit and prices are low because of the abundance. This year we had many negative things happening in June

• Demonstrations by some people, protesting the increased prices of food to the consumers, tax on food and people were desperate to afford food for their families.
• Dry season came late causing harvest problems.
• Many people have been sick with the flu and malaria resulting in many deaths even among our church members. Hardly a household has not been affected by these illnesses.
• We have had lightening storms and there have been over 30 people killed by lightning and many more injured.

Ssimbwa said we had had an incredible month in humanitarian services this June and we had brought a positive outcome to this dreaded month. In June we have

• Closed two very successful water projects
• Opened two new water projects
• Received our wheelchair shipment - Held the wheelchair training and started distribution of wheelchairs.
• Closed a family health and hygiene project
• Opened two more family health and hygiene projects.
• We haven't had one accident (car) the whole month and we have come close many times.

According to Ssimbwa, "This has been a very good month. Even with all the bad things happening the Lord has blessed us all to have these good things happen."

MBALE Clean Water Project

TURNOVER CEREMONY

7 June 2011

Funding by: THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Implementation by: Union of Community Development Volunteers of Uganda

History: Construction of springs started 22 Jan 2011 - Finished 23 May 2011

Project consisted of

· 60 protecting spring water sources

· 15 school pit latrines with handwashing stations

· 15 rain water catchment systems at schools

· 30 clothes washing station

500 latrine slabs for at risk families without latrines

· 65 communities received Hygiene/Sanitation training

Ceremony held at the army school -2400 students - they desperately needed a new latrine and a water tank.

My new friend - I had to rescue her from the crowd as she had fallen down and the children were walking right over her.

Sign commemorating the dedication of the springs.

Elder and Sister Rixs came to the ceremony to represent the church. They are missionaries supporting the new branch in Mbale.

We had a dedication ceremony for the 60 springs with a ribbon cutting

Some of the women beneficiaries who were very excited to have a clothes washing station next to the spring.

A lot of entertainment - note the instruments - clay pot hit with a wooden mallet, flat rock beat with a stick and a
Ugandan drum - they made good music.

Beneficiary Communities: "Our community received 60 springs in 3 months. This is an accomplishment that has never before been heard of. Providing of 30 clothes washing stations a gift we had never before heard of now allows us to dispose of waste water effectively down stream instead of washing at the top of the hill where springs are generated and could be contaminated. This will save us from cholera and many diseases."

Head Teacher, Waluka John (representing the 15 schools receiving latrines and water catchment systems):

"Having the construction of the new design of VIP latrine with a school water catchment system is a land mark in our lives that will not be forgotten. We strongly urge all of the beneficiaries to protect and keep the gift that has been given."

LC3 Asharki Hahamas: (this man was very supportive of the project. He found a house for the construction crew to live in and gave UCDVU an office in the government complex of the sub-county.
"It was not by chance that you came to Mbale. You were sent to us. The tank provided for the Army school is life. We could not succeed without this water. We didn’t know your message to come was real we should not have been a doubting Thomas. We welcomed UCDVU giving them housing and an office to guide and protect them. They did what they said they would do in record time. What you have done is much but we need more."

Eddie Mutebi, Director of UCDVU: "On Jan 17^th a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Mbale District by THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS and the COU of Mbale District. Just 4 ½ months later the project is completed, Access for clean water has been given for 113,000 people of the district. Hygiene and Sanitation has greatly improved and will continue to improve with the teaching of the established Hygiene and Sanitation team. We have worked with the leaders at all level and have had good cooperation to implement this project."

Pres. George Mubeala - Mbale Branch President (He had just been sustained and set apart as the branch president for the newly organized Mbale Branch three days before this ceremony.): "The Church has been generous to our community. We only ask that you take care of this gift and make it last. You are all invited to visit us at our services every Sunday."

CAO Mbale District: "This event has been a accomplished in record time with an amount of work done that we have never had before. We extend our appreciation for all the work. Livelihoods have improved. Diarrhea and worms may now be avoided if the resources are kept clean and usable. Latrines will be spoiled if they are mistreated. The tanks at the schools must be protected and we encourage each school to put a cement barrier around these tanks to safe guard them. We have had problems of not maintaining the spring structures in the past and mistreating them. All communities must take responsibility and care for these structures. We are indebted to our donors."

Chairperson LCV - Official Guest: I attended a Hygiene and Sanitation training session. It was good and I learned. The trainers were good and made the training a good time.

We have been weak in clean water, sanitation and hygiene. Our rivers are silted and contaminated. We need to raise our standard especially in schools, our schools that can’t even afford chalk.

Your good deeds are coming from a Christian source. You have shown us that we should look after the body that God has given us. We are grateful for the influence you have brought to our communities.

Newly trained hygiene and sanitation trainers. They are specialists, it says so on the back of their shirts they got when they finished the training.

The greatest beneficiaries of these water projects are the women of the community.

Everyone receiving Hygiene and Sanitation training were asked to make a tippy tap for hand washing after using the latrine. They are very effective and people were very compliant in building them.

This man is a professional singer who happens to be handicapped. He sang about the abilities of people instead of concentrating on the disabilities. The day after this program he contacted the Rixs and asked for information about the church. He is taking the missionary discussions and is very interested in being baptized.

Many awards were given out at the ceremony with each person training in Hygiene and Sanitation program being given a certificate of completion, and the church was given a beautiful plaque in appreciation of the quality of the gift that was given. This plaque will be displayed at the church in Mbale.

Many children sang, danced and put on skits about what they had learned about hygiene and sanitation.

Kiryandongo Clean Water Project

TURNOVER CEREMONY

10 June 2011

Funding by: THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Implementation by: AFRICAN HUMAN RESOURCE INITIATIVE STRATEGIES

History: Construction of started 22 Jan 2011 - Finished 1 Jun 2011

Project consisted of

· 50 hand dug wells

· 14 school pit latrines with hand washing stations

· 14 rain water catchment systems at schools

Kiryandongo Level 3 hospital received a latrine and two water tanks

· 50 communities received Hygiene/Sanitation training

AHRIS , our contractor

We all met at AHRIS office prior to the turnover. We were greeted by these women singing about hygiene training and doing the dances of the Acholi.

Ssimbwa got in to it and played the drums for us - not bad but not quite as good as the real thing. The drummers in Uganda are very good. They drum bent over like this keeping a good steady beat and it goes on for a very long time.

Latrine at the Kiryandongo hospital has a terrazzo floor - easy to clean and will last a long time. Quite expensive but a good investment for a hospital.

The latrine was also outfitted with a water catchment system that feeds into the hand washing station which will help the sanitation for those using the latrine. This hospital has a water system that has failed and needs to be redone. An international organization keeps telling them that they will rehabilitate the system but nothing is happening yet. Meantime they are really struggling with their need for water and sanitation.

Wells are different than springs. They need continual maintenance and require a strong water committee to maintain the well and have people pay a small amount of money each month for the water. This well has been landscaped to help people realize the importance of maintaining the well. Each water committee was given training and some spare parts for their well and each sub=country was given tools and spare parts to maintain the wells. Water committees are charging each family using the well about 25 cents a month. This is enough money to pay for repairs as needed.

The head of the water committee is a very important person who needs to work closely with the community to maintain the well.

The district officer was pretty excited to get 50 new wells in his district. Their annual plan called for 2 wells for the whole district so 50 wells was a great windfall and then adding to that the latrines and water tanks at the schools. . . they felt like they had really won.

Our contractor Alex carved the table and chairs and presented them to us at the ceremony. We usually don't get gifts and if we do we usually give them away to someone in need. This gift was personalized in a way that it may be hard to give away.

Each piece is a carving of a well with people drawing water. They are beautiful and also have are name carved into them. Not easy to give away with that kind of personalization.

We were also given a chicken, a LIVE chicken. She is very colorful but she is alive. I explained to our site monitor, Hannington that he would need to take it as we had never killed and dressed a chicken ever and we were too old to start now. (I once told Olivia that I had never killed a chicken for dinner , ever. She did not believe me.)

So Hannington got the LIVE chicken. He is the site monitor he deserves the LIVE chicken. Besides our name wasn't carved into it so we didn't feel any personal obligation. (When we first met Hannington he told us he was a "man of few words." This is the same man that turned in a project report to us that was 300 pages long and bound - yes, a man of few words.)

We were served a LIGHT lunch but a lunch in Uganda is pretty substantial no matter what you call it.

They had lunch right in the middle of the program. This was moving way to slow so I went to help dish up food for 600 people. I made all the servers very nervous, I was putting too much food on the plate.

Just about every school had a number on the program. These dancers were very good and it was interesting to see the difference in the dancing from what we saw in Mbale. Although both areas are in the northern part of Uganda Mbale is east and Kiryandongo is central. Makes you realize how tribal the country is as the culture changes from one area to the next.
The dancers were very good and the singing was personalized, singing about the church and the gift of clean water and hygiene training.

Two turnover ceremonies in one week. What a great month June was turning out to be.