Our team was in Sujawal few days ago to identify children with disabilities who can become part of our Special School. We were informed by people that there is a kid with disability named Mir Ali, who is desperately waiting for us. As soon as we went there, the first sentence he uttered was, "Can I please become a student at your school?" We are very close to fulfilling hopes of over 100 kids like Mir Ali with a fully equipped school. We are looking for your support for 5 accessible vehicles.
Sujawal is one of the poorest districts of Pakistan with a high prevalence of persons with disabilities. It is the only district in Sindh without a special school. With the assistance of our partners, we have managed to build a fully-equipped center with facilities like a special school, vocational training, and a clean drinking water plant. Mobility remains the biggest challenge for us to bring persons with disabilities from different parts of the district to the center.
We aim to retrofit motorcycle rickshaws into fully accessible vehicles for drivers and passengers with physical disabilities. All the functions of the legs will be moved to hands, so a driver with disability can drive the vehicle with ease. A movable ramp will be installed at the back, so a passenger can access the seat. Our experience of running a fleet of accessible rickshaws in Karachi give us the experience of doing the same in Sujawal.
Retrofitting the vehicle will create employment opportunity for persons with disabilities and it will also help students with disability to get education. Post school hours, these rickshaws will also provide transport facility to other wheelchair-users in Sujawal.
