Gift of a wheelchair to persons with disabilities.

Dear Patron,

On behalf of the Rwandan Youth Development and Voluntary Organization (RWAYDAVO), I extend our sincere appreciation for your continued interest and support toward our “Gift of a Wheelchair” initiative, which seeks to improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities in Rwanda by restoring mobility, independence, and dignity.

This report provides an update on the project’s inputs, progress, challenges, and planned next steps. While the initiative has made important preparatory progress, the overall project goal has not yet been fully achieved due to limited funding.

The primary objective of the project is to provide appropriate mobility aids to people with disabilities who cannot afford them. The initiative aims to distribute 50 wheelchairs annually across different regions of Rwanda, working in collaboration with the Wheelchair Fund, local disability organizations, community leaders, and health workers. The intended long-term impact is to increase mobility, independence, social inclusion, and self-confidence among beneficiaries.

Several key inputs have been mobilized to support the initiative. RWAYDAVO has engaged trained staff and volunteers to conduct beneficiary identification, assessment, wheelchair fitting, and user training. Partnerships with local disability organizations and community leaders are in place to support outreach, beneficiary selection, and follow-up. Logistical planning for storage, transportation, and delivery to remote areas has been prepared. In addition, coordination with wheelchair suppliers has begun to ensure the availability of durable, high-quality wheelchairs and essential accessories such as cushions. However, financial inputs remain insufficient, limiting procurement and large-scale distribution.

To date, RWAYDAVO has strengthened partnerships with local organizations to support needs assessment and post-distribution follow-up. Internal systems for delivery coordination and beneficiary support have been established. Fundraising planning activities, including outreach campaigns and donor engagement initiatives, are underway to mobilize additional resources. Despite these efforts, the number of wheelchairs distributed remains below target because available funds have not yet matched project needs.

The main challenges facing the project include limited funding, which has slowed procurement and delayed distribution. Ensuring access to appropriate wheelchair types tailored to individual needs also requires adequate resources and technical coordination. Additionally, reaching beneficiaries in remote and hard-to-access areas presents logistical challenges that require sustained financial and operational support.

To move the project forward, RWAYDAVO plans to intensify donor engagement and partnership development to close the funding gap. Once sufficient resources are secured, the organization will proceed with procurement, delivery, beneficiary training, and monitoring. A tracking and follow-up system will be implemented to assess wheelchair use, maintenance, and long-term impact on beneficiaries’ daily lives.

The expected long-term impact of the initiative remains significant. Beneficiaries will gain improved mobility and independence, increased participation in education, work, and community life, and enhanced confidence and dignity. With proper follow-up and maintenance, the wheelchairs will provide lasting benefits and contribute to sustainable improvements in quality of life.

In conclusion, the “Gift of a Wheelchair” initiative continues to hold strong transformative potential. Although progress has been constrained by limited funding, RWAYDAVO remains fully committed to achieving the project’s objectives. With your continued partnership and support, we can expand this initiative and reach more individuals in need.

We sincerely thank you for your generosity, trust, and commitment to this life-changing work.

With sincere gratitude and warm regards,

Jean Damascene UWIZEYIMANA
President – RWAYDAVO