Kenyan craftsmen begin making bamboo wheelchairs for children
Craftsmen in Kenya are producing children's wheelchairs from bamboo as a cheaper alternative to imported models. The charity behind the initiative hopes the African design could gain interest beyond Kenya's borders.
For many families in Kenya whose children need a wheelchair, obtaining one is often out of reach. The main obstacle is cost: most wheelchairs available in the country are imported, and importing them pushes prices too high for many households to afford.
A local solution using bamboo
To address this gap, the charity Bethany Kids has turned to a local approach. Kenyan craftsmen have begun building wheelchairs for children out of bamboo, a material that is widely available and relatively inexpensive in the region.
By relying on bamboo instead of imported parts, the cost of production can be significantly reduced. Bamboo is also durable and can be grown locally, making it a practical substitute for imported materials.
Interest beyond Kenya's borders
The organization behind the project hopes that this African-designed solution could attract interest beyond Kenya as well. Families in other countries facing similar barriers to affordable mobility aids for children could potentially benefit from the same approach.
