Send 166 Wheelchairs to Kenya Annually

Dear Supporters,

Because of your support, children with disabilities in Kenya are one step closer to freedom, inclusion, and dignity.

This year, Mama Respond continued preparing a shipment of 166 terrain-specific wheelchairs for children living in overcrowded and under-constructed townships across Kenya. These specialised wheelchairs have been generously donated by Wheelchairs For Kids and are specifically designed for rough terrain, narrow pathways, and rural environments where standard wheelchairs simply do not work.

Each wheelchair represents far more than mobility. It represents a child finally being able to attend school, sit with friends, eat independently, visit a clinic, or simply leave the home after years of isolation.

Unfortunately, despite the wheelchairs being ready for shipment, we have faced a major obstacle: the rising cost of international shipping.

At this stage, the shipment has been temporarily paused while we work to raise the remaining funds needed to send the container to Kenya. We still need approximately AUD $6,000 to make this shipment possible.

For many families, the wait is heartbreaking.

One mother from Kitengela shared that her son cannot school because she physically cannot carry him the long distances required each day. As he grows older and heavier, she increasingly keeps him inside their small home for safety. She explained that he spends most days watching other children play from the doorway.

When mothers receive these wheelchairs, everything changes.

Children who were once hidden away begin attending school, participating in community life, and accessing healthcare. Mothers experience reduced physical strain and greater emotional wellbeing. Families who once felt isolated begin reconnecting with their communities.

These wheelchairs are uniquely suited to the Kenyan environment and include:

• Wide puncture-proof tyres for rough terrain
• Postural supports and harnesses
• Adjustable footrests and headrests
• Waterproof cushions
• Activity trays for schoolwork and meals

The impact of this project is long-term and life-changing. Mobility increases access to education, improves health outcomes, strengthens independence, and reduces stigma surrounding disability.

Right now, the wheelchairs are waiting.

The children are waiting.

And mothers are still carrying children who deserve the dignity of movement and inclusion.

With your help, we can raise the remaining funds needed to send this shipment and ensure 166 children receive the mobility support they urgently need.

Every donation brings us closer to opening the container doors in Kenya and placing a wheelchair into the hands of a child who has waited far too long.

We look forward to changing lives with you! 

Erin