Active Events News
Active Events

APT Training at the Walkabout Kenya Centre

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In October, our Kenya team members from the Walkabout Centre took part in an innovative training for Appropriate Paper-based Technology (APT), in partnership with Potter’s House, thanks to a grant from MAITS.

APT is a sustainable engineering approach that transforms recycled paper and cardboard materials into assistive technology devices, tailored to meet the needs of children with disabilities.

The training was divided into two parts: APT device creation and physiotherapy. During the first part, our staff learned hands-on methods for building assistive devices from recycled materials. In the physiotherapy segment, our team gained practical skills in measuring and prescribing APT devices, focusing on adaptive seating based on each individual assessment.

They received guidance on conducting postural management assessments adaptable to children with both typical and atypical developmental needs, with particular emphasis on supporting children with Cerebral Palsy. The sessions emphasised the importance of close collaboration between physiotherapists and our staff creating adaptive seating with raw materials.

This training has not only equipped our team with specialized skills, but also strengthened our capacity to offer personalized support to children with disabilities through sustainable solutions. By implementing APT, we can now produce affordable, custom-fitted devices that meet each child’s physical requirements, providing comfort, stability, and greater independence —giving each child the opportunity to thrive.

Walkabout Turns 15!

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Walkabout Foundation partners with L’Oréal East Africa

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Supporting Children with Disabilities in Kenya: Training for Caregivers and Community Workers

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In May 2024, the Walkabout Kenya Team, together with Bethany Kids, hosted a special training session to help caregivers and community workers better support children with disabilities. We welcomed 12 participants from across Kenya, with the training being led by our Country Manager, Paul, and our Occupational Therapist, Kate. From the start, participants shared their hopes, from becoming experts in special needs care to raising awareness in their communities. The week-long training was hands-on and engaging, making it easy for everyone to learn and grow together. The team covered important topics like understanding caregiver roles, practical aspects like feeding, play, and communication. The highlight of the training was a workshop on reusable diapers, led by our Community Outreach Officer, Charity Nana.  As the training ended, participants left with clear action plans and a renewed sense of purpose. With certificates in hand, they are now ready to create supportive communities for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. The impact of this training goes beyond the participants. By empowering caregivers across Kenya, we hope to create a ripple effect that could reach thousands within a year. We are excited to follow up with the participants as they put their new knowledge to work and bring positive change to their communities.

The Walkabout Closet Sale Returns!

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The Walkabout Closet Treasure Sale is back by popular demand! For three days only, we’ll be selling incredible pre-loved items to raise funds for our wheelchair, rehabilitation and research projects. Mark June 26th, 27th and 28th in your calendar and get ready for some guilt-free shopping! If you have any items that you’d like to donate for our event, please contact us on +44 207 581 3680 or email us at events@walkaboutfoundation.org and we’ll be happy to arrange a collection!

100 Lives Changed in Kitui, Kenya

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In March 2024, our Kenyan team travelled to Kitui county, for an outreach distribution at the Mwingi Resource Centre together with our local partners. . 

Over the course of four days, our dedicated team members distributed over 100 wheelchairs to people with mobility disabilities. Aside from wheelchairs, they also provided the beneficiaries with free reusable diapers and washable sanitary towels.These efforts aimed not only to enhance mobility, but also to address essential hygiene needs for those in need within the community.

During this period, we distributed a variety of wheelchairs ranging from Motivation Active folding, Free Wheelchair Mission’s Gen 2 & Gen 3, Hybrids, Intco transport, and HopeHaven models, ensuring diverse options to meet different needs

If you would like to support our work in Kenya and make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals with mobility disabilities, please donate today by clicking below. Your support is invaluable in sustaining and expanding our initiatives.

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Walkabout in Kenya: Restoring Mobility with Free Wheelchair Mission

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In March 2024, the Walkabout Team travelled to Nanyuki, Kenya, together with our long-standing partner, Free Wheelchair Mission, and a group of their supporters from Right at Home. 

Throughout the week, the team not only provided 53 wheelchairs, but also created meaningful connections between beneficiaries and supporters. They gained valuable insights into the complexities of our work and the profound impact it has on the lives of others. From conducting beneficiary assessments to personally fitting each wheelchair, every step of the process was marked by care, compassion, and commitment to empowering mobility. 

Going beyond mere distributions, the team immersed themselves in the local community by participating in various activities with our local team and residents. For example, taking part in sitting volleyball matches not only brought joy and fostered a sense of camaraderie, but also highlighted the importance of inclusion and recreation for individuals with disabilities.

As we reflect on the impact of our work in Kenya, we invite you to join us in supporting our ongoing efforts. Your donation could help us continue to provide essential wheelchairs to individuals in need, fostering independence, dignity, and inclusion within local communities. Together, we can make a difference, one wheelchair at a time.

To support our work in Kenya and provide mobility to people in need, donate today by clicking below.

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Measuring Impact: Monitoring & Evaluation in the Dominican Republic

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Walkabout Foundation has been supporting individuals with mobility disabilities in the Dominican Republic for over a decade. Since our first distribution in 2010, we have provided 927 wheelchairs, impacting over 2,200 lives. However, the impact of our efforts extends beyond distributions. As a part of our holistic wheelchair provision, we recognise the importance of follow-up services, ensuring we offer ongoing support and address beneficiary needs post-distribution.  Following our last visit to the DR, we worked with our local partner to co-design a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) survey. The project aimed to measure the impact of the wheelchairs on the lives of our recipients and their caregivers. The local team collected the data between October 2022 and October 2023, following up on 167 past beneficiaries.  While measuring the impact of a wheelchair or trike on someone’s life, we looked at key areas such as quality of life and wellbeing, independence, repairs, employment, education, social inclusion, and overall wheelchair satisfaction. Amongst our findings were: 1. Quality of Life & Wellbeing Improved Quality of Life 100% of respondents reported an improvement in their quality of life after receiving a wheelchair. Better posture, enhanced mobility, increased participation in social activities, improved nutrition, and greater independence were among the most common themes reported by recipients. Social Inclusion After receiving their wheelchairs, children experienced a 19% increase in community participation, frequently engaging in various activities such as going to church, visiting neighbours, and attending family gatherings outside their homes.  2. Education Increased School Attendance Following the distribution, there was a significant decrease in the number of children not attending school, dropping from 114 to 52 children (almost 50%). Follow-up initiatives, such as our Monitoring & Evaluation Project, are essential for assessing the long-term impact of wheelchair provision, identifying areas for improvement and providing ongoing support to recipients as their needs evolve over time. The data collected showed that wheelchairs, as part of a holistic approach to disability-care provision, significantly contribute to improving the lives of people with mobility disabilities, despite the many challenges they still face.

Henry’s Story

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Nadia’s Story

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Meet Nadia, a 63-year-old woman from the Gumbiri Village, Uganda. After being diagnosed with Polio, it became quite challenging for Nadia to keep up with her domestic chores, as she was unable to move around independently.

Nadia relied heavily on the assistance of her son, Oduma, to carry out most of her daily tasks. Since receiving her brand new wheelchair, Nadia no longer relies on her son to carry her around. She is now able to travel across her village and engage with other community members!

Dave’s Story

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Meet, Dave a little boy from Ghana.

Before Walkabout’s donation, Dave never had wheelchair. His mother used to be a caterer, but she had to quit job to stay home and take care of her son.

We met at our 2023 distribution in Ghana together with our partners, Orthopaedic Training Centre (OTC) and Kabaka Foundation.

We gave Dave a brand new wheelchair, transforming not only his life, but also his mother’s. Now that Dave has a wheelchair, his mother can go back to work and leave him at home with her neighbour, and she’s very excited to be able to take him to church and enrol him at a local school!

Viola’s Story

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The need for wheelchairs in South Sudan is incredibly high due to the impact of the civil war and the lack of medical facilities. At the end of 2023, together with our partner, Hope Health Action (HHA), we sent 50 wheelchairs from their Centre in Northern Uganda to South Sudan. The wheelchairs are being distributed by our partner in outreach clinics in Kajo Keji.

Meet Viola, one of our beneficiaries from South Sudan. She is 26 years old and has a diploma in Business Administration, but has struggled to find job opportunities due to her lack of mobility. Without a wheelchair, she had to crawl on the ground.

After HHA and Walkabout assessed her needs, Viola was able to receive a brand new wheelchair! Viola is now hopeful she will be able to find a job and regain her independence.