Man builds tricycles for disabled people

Trevor, a missionary from the White Fathers (the Society of Missionaries of Africa), was in Tamala, Ghana when he saw a lot of marginalised and vulnerable disabled people who were living in the streets.

He wanted to do something to help them and so he had the idea of creating a wheelchair tricycle that enables the user to sit in a wheelchair-type bike seat and move pedals with their hands, enabling them to have mobility.

For this, the priest had the help of volunteers and donors. He developed theses devices using pieces of old bicycles donated by friends or acquaintances.

“When I started, I thought of turning this tricycle into an opportunity for street kids. I asked some of them to help me. At first, we produced about ten a week. Now, slowly, we have reached fifty”, said the inventor.

Each tricycle has a development cost of about 250€.

“They have been given to men, women and older children who are too poor to purchase a wheelchair like this for themselves. Some people offer us a little money if they have it — but for the most part, those who are receiving them are too poor to pay anything at all. The wheelchair tricycles allow people to have dignity. When a disabled person manages to obtain one of these means he enters a new dimension and regains a hope of life. Thanks to the tricycle, he can move anywhere. This allows him to relate with many people and to grow. Not only that, but his muscles become stronger and this improves his physical health condition. Now there is a glimmer of gratitude and light in their lives”, Trevor explained.

Adapted from: https://bit.ly/2J1zGCT