Sixteen children in Siha District have been selected to receive new wheelchairs through Tambua Utu Foundation’s mobility support program. These assistive devices will significantly improve their independence, school participation, and overall quality of life.
Due to limited resources, beneficiaries were identified through a structured vulnerability assessment to ensure that assistance reaches those with the highest level of need. Priority was given to children who meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Living in low-income and female-headed households
• Having multiple disabilities
• Having parents or caregivers who are also persons with disabilities
• Living with both a disability and a chronic illness, such as HIV
• Being orphaned
Why Wheelchair Access Is Critical in Tanzania
Access to mobility devices remains severely limited in Tanzania. According to global assistive technology assessments referenced by the World Health Organization and regional disability reports, in many low income countries including Tanzania, only 5–15% of people who require assistive devices such as wheelchairs actually have access to an appropriate one. This means the majority of children who need mobility support either rely on improvised solutions or remain confined at home.
Additionally, rehabilitation and assistive technology services are concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural districts like Siha with limited access to properly fitted wheelchairs, maintenance services, and follow-up support. Without appropriate mobility devices, children face: Reduced school attendance due to transport and accessibility barriers, Increased physical strain on caregivers, Greater risk of social exclusion, Long-term limitations in educational and economic participation
A properly fitted wheelchair is not simply equipment; it is an enabler of rights. It allows a child to attend school consistently, interact with peers, and participate in daily life with dignity. 
Tambua Utu Foundation conducted a structured vulnerability assessment to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process. By prioritizing children facing compounded socioeconomic and health-related challenges, the program addresses both functional disability and contextual vulnerability.