The mobility aids
What we do: we support Eric Asante in developing and producing mobility aids made of bamboo. What do they look like? During the past years, several mobility aids have been developed: two types of wheelchairs (for the rural environment and the urban environment) and a walking frame. The prototypes of these products have been tested by various end users in Ghana.
What we have achieved
In recent years, many developments have taken place in the development of bamboo mobility aids. See below for an overview of what we have achieved so far.
Product development
In recent years we have developed the first products:
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- Bamboo wheelchair (rural environment)
- Bamboo wheelchair (urban environment)
- Walking frame
Testing prototypes with (end)users
The bamboo wheelchairs were tested by end users, including para-athletes, in Ghana. These testing moments turned were valuable for functional adjustments to the wheelchairs. But most importantly, it showed the meaning behind the chairs. The enthusiasm of the end users for the use of bamboo proved that the impact is greater than just enabling mobility. It makes people proud, it helps to break stigmas. It minimizes the "medical" aspect and makes the bamboo wheelchair a "proud African product", as one of the athletes mentioned.
Presentation VISTA Congress Amsterdam (2019)
In 2019 we shared the development of the bamboo wheelchair at the VISTA congress in Amsterdam - a congress organized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). With the feedback from different perspectives, the design of the wheelchairs was further developed in Ghana.
Presentation ISPRM Congress Paris (2018)
In 2018, Maclean and Marjelle were invited to speak at the ISPRM (International Society for Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine) congress in Paris. Here, they shared their story. How Maclean had to survive crawling through the fields as a little boy, and how his life changed when someone offered him a wheelchair. He learned how to use the strength of his arms, instead of focusing on the weakness in his legs. They shared their believe that everyone has the right to learn about their strength and possibilities. That is why we make wheelchairs from bamboo.
Scientific publication
In 2021, we published our work in the form of a scientific article:
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Scheffers, MF, Ona Ayala, KE, Ottesen, TD, & Tuakli-Wosornu, YA (2021). Design and development of mobility equipment for persons with disabilities in low-resource and tropical settings: bamboo wheelchairs. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology, 16(4), 377–383.
Location of the future workshop
Asante identified a piece of land near Sunyani, in the Bono region of Ghana, where the workshop will be built. Asante grew up in this region, so he knows the area and the people well. At the moment, the necessary preparations are taking place here: the land is being prepared and the weeds are being removed so that the foundation for the workshop can be laid there.
Establishment of the foundation in the Netherlands
After we decided to support Asante to realize its future plans, we listed the necessary action points. Setting up the foundation "Move by bamboo" in the Netherlands was one of them. While Asante was working in Ghana, Lieke, Douwe and Marjelle signed at the notary on April 11, 2024 to realize Move by bamboo!
Chamber of Commerce Registration
Another milestone: with the Move by Bamboo foundation we are officially registered with the Chamber of Commerce.
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