Walk for People who cannot walk
Walk for people who cannot walk!
Since 01.01.2014, walking and hiking have become more than ever an integral part of our lives. Every day, the hours of walking are the hours that belong entirely to ourselves, in which we connect with ourselves and with the earth, in which we leave behind the old and move towards the new. As important as walking is for us, we are also aware that it is a privilege that not everyone can take advantage of.
According to official figures, in Germany alone there are around 1.6 million people who cannot walk or almost cannot walk and therefore need a wheelchair.
Worldwide, there are around 85 million, which is more people than live in the Federal Republic of Germany altogether. However, the number of unreported cases is probably many times higher. Not to mention all those people for whom every single step becomes a torture due to pain.
According to official figures, in Germany alone there are around 1.6 million people who cannot walk or almost cannot walk and therefore need a wheelchair.
Worldwide, there are around 85 million, which is more people than live in the Federal Republic of Germany altogether. However, the number of unreported cases is probably many times higher. Not to mention all those people for whom every single step becomes a torture due to pain.
Walking is healing with the feet
From our mentors we have heard over and over again the phrase that walking is a form of healing. When we place our feet on the earth, the earth presses against our feet and an energetic exchange occurs that is healing for ourselves as well as for Mother Earth. But now we wanted to do something more and soon the desire emerged in us to contribute with every step also something to the lives of people who can not walk themselves. For a long time we thought about how we could do this and finally we came across a unique and, as we find, absolutely worthy of support project, with which together we can now make this possible.
From our mentors we have heard over and over again the phrase that walking is a form of healing. When we place our feet on the earth, the earth presses against our feet and an energetic exchange occurs that is healing for ourselves as well as for Mother Earth. But now we wanted to do something more and soon the desire emerged in us to contribute with every step also something to the lives of people who can not walk themselves. For a long time we thought about how we could do this and finally we came across a unique and, as we find, absolutely worthy of support project, with which together we can now make this possible.
Our aid project: Rollies für Afrika e.V.
The name of the project is Rollis für Afrika e.V., but what the volunteers of this association do goes far beyond what the name might suggest at first glance.
The basic idea came in 2003 from two friends, Pablo and Estevan, who were looking for a way to do their part for the good of the earth community. Estevan himself is confined to a wheelchair due to muscular atrophy, and so the idea arose in the two of them to make a personal commitment to helping people in similar situations get the support they need. Even though his disability limited him in many areas, Estevan was aware that he still had it comparatively good in Germany. There may still be a lot of room for improvement in terms of accessibility, but compared to many other places on earth, the situation for wheelchair users and people with walking disabilities is generally still relatively comfortable.
The name of the project is Rollis für Afrika e.V., but what the volunteers of this association do goes far beyond what the name might suggest at first glance.
The basic idea came in 2003 from two friends, Pablo and Estevan, who were looking for a way to do their part for the good of the earth community. Estevan himself is confined to a wheelchair due to muscular atrophy, and so the idea arose in the two of them to make a personal commitment to helping people in similar situations get the support they need. Even though his disability limited him in many areas, Estevan was aware that he still had it comparatively good in Germany. There may still be a lot of room for improvement in terms of accessibility, but compared to many other places on earth, the situation for wheelchair users and people with walking disabilities is generally still relatively comfortable.
Difficult conditions for wheelchair users in Senegal
The situation is completely different in Africa, for example, and especially in Senegal. Here, there is no social system that provides a person with a walking disability with the technical means to cope with everyday life. If you want a walker or a wheelchair, you have to pay for it, and that in a country where many people's financial resources are barely enough to cover their daily needs.
The concept that Pablo and Estevan came up with to remedy this situation was as simple as it was ingenious.
The situation is completely different in Africa, for example, and especially in Senegal. Here, there is no social system that provides a person with a walking disability with the technical means to cope with everyday life. If you want a walker or a wheelchair, you have to pay for it, and that in a country where many people's financial resources are barely enough to cover their daily needs.
The concept that Pablo and Estevan came up with to remedy this situation was as simple as it was ingenious.
Help from Germany approaching
The comprehensive, medical care in Germany leads to many hundreds of wheelchairs and walking aids being discarded and disposed of every day. Only a small proportion of these are really broken.
The rest are merely used, perhaps no longer look nice or have small, easily repairable quirks. So it is easy to collect these aids and repair them again so that they can continue to be used. And that is exactly what Rollis für Afrika e.V. does.
The volunteers rescue the discarded wheelchairs and walking aids from being prematurely scrapped, bring them back into shape and then ship them to Senegal in a large container.
There, they distribute the aid they have brought themselves to the people who need it, so that they can be sure that everything arrives exactly where it is supposed to.
The comprehensive, medical care in Germany leads to many hundreds of wheelchairs and walking aids being discarded and disposed of every day. Only a small proportion of these are really broken.
The rest are merely used, perhaps no longer look nice or have small, easily repairable quirks. So it is easy to collect these aids and repair them again so that they can continue to be used. And that is exactly what Rollis für Afrika e.V. does.
The volunteers rescue the discarded wheelchairs and walking aids from being prematurely scrapped, bring them back into shape and then ship them to Senegal in a large container.
There, they distribute the aid they have brought themselves to the people who need it, so that they can be sure that everything arrives exactly where it is supposed to.
The way back to maturity
Thanks to the help of Rollis for Africa, the people who were previously pushed to the brink of social exclusion by their disability are now able to participate in everyday life again, to go to school or to work, and to take care of themselves on a larger scale. As in Germany, many are of course always dependent on the support of others despite the walking aid, but they are now no longer completely helpless and thus a good deal closer to an equal life as before.
Thanks to the help of Rollis for Africa, the people who were previously pushed to the brink of social exclusion by their disability are now able to participate in everyday life again, to go to school or to work, and to take care of themselves on a larger scale. As in Germany, many are of course always dependent on the support of others despite the walking aid, but they are now no longer completely helpless and thus a good deal closer to an equal life as before.
Holistic support at all levels
However, the provision of wheelchairs and walking aids is only one aspect of the support that Rollis for Africa provides, just as the walking disability is also only one aspect of the lives of those affected. In order to provide holistic help, the non-profit organization is also committed to social education in Senegal, among other things, in order to break down prejudices in the population against people with disabilities.
Often, it is not only their own handicap that makes life difficult for those affected, but also the way they are viewed and treated by their fellow human beings because of it. In many places, people with disabilities are still ostracized and outcasts. In order to change this and to achieve more understanding and empathy in society, Rollis for Africa organizes regular seminars, workshops and events on this topic together with local associations in Senegal.
However, the provision of wheelchairs and walking aids is only one aspect of the support that Rollis for Africa provides, just as the walking disability is also only one aspect of the lives of those affected. In order to provide holistic help, the non-profit organization is also committed to social education in Senegal, among other things, in order to break down prejudices in the population against people with disabilities.
Often, it is not only their own handicap that makes life difficult for those affected, but also the way they are viewed and treated by their fellow human beings because of it. In many places, people with disabilities are still ostracized and outcasts. In order to change this and to achieve more understanding and empathy in society, Rollis for Africa organizes regular seminars, workshops and events on this topic together with local associations in Senegal.
From outcast to independent entrepreneur
At the same time, the people affected are also supported, among other things through microcredits, in building up their own livelihood, training or studying and thus becoming an independent member of society. In Senegal in particular, it is often very stressful for people if they are unable to contribute to the well-being of their family because of their disability and therefore see themselves as a burden on their relatives. Their family's understanding of their situation, coupled with the mobilization provided by the walking aids and the opportunity to become an active and valuable member of the community, allows a new togetherness and harmony to develop in many families that would have been unthinkable before. All three aspects together are what make the real help and success of Rollis for Africa.
At the same time, the people affected are also supported, among other things through microcredits, in building up their own livelihood, training or studying and thus becoming an independent member of society. In Senegal in particular, it is often very stressful for people if they are unable to contribute to the well-being of their family because of their disability and therefore see themselves as a burden on their relatives. Their family's understanding of their situation, coupled with the mobilization provided by the walking aids and the opportunity to become an active and valuable member of the community, allows a new togetherness and harmony to develop in many families that would have been unthinkable before. All three aspects together are what make the real help and success of Rollis for Africa.
Education and prevention
At least as important as supporting people who already have a disability is preventing it from occurring in the first place.
Of course, this is not always possible, but many deformities, which are very common in Senegal, can be prevented from the outset with the right precautions.
To make this possible, the association organizes and finances seminars and training courses that equip the local people with the necessary expertise to take care of this prophylaxis themselves.
At the same time, those who have been trained can now pass on their knowledge to others and thus ensure more and more widespread education, which can steadily reduce the number of deformities and crippling.
At least as important as supporting people who already have a disability is preventing it from occurring in the first place.
Of course, this is not always possible, but many deformities, which are very common in Senegal, can be prevented from the outset with the right precautions.
To make this possible, the association organizes and finances seminars and training courses that equip the local people with the necessary expertise to take care of this prophylaxis themselves.
At the same time, those who have been trained can now pass on their knowledge to others and thus ensure more and more widespread education, which can steadily reduce the number of deformities and crippling.
How can I help here?
Rollis für Afrika e.V. operates on a purely voluntary basis. All employees and helpers are volunteers who do their work because it is not a job for them, but a passion. Nevertheless, the association regularly needs money to finance, among other things, the transport containers for the wheelchairs, as well as the seminars and events for the educational work. If you want to support Wheelchairs for Africa, there are three different ways:
1. by making a direct donation in the amount that feels good and right for you. You can do this either through the Wheelchairs for Africa donation appeal: Rollies for Africa at Betterplace
2. as a life adventurer walk sponsor: become part of our charity walk and think about an amount you want to donate to Wheelchairs for Africa for every kilometer we walk. Whether you want to donate one cent per kilometer, 10 cents, 27 cents, 1 € or more is up to you. The duration of your partnership is also up to you, because you don't commit to anything and can withdraw at any time if you feel like it. Just send us a short message and we will discuss everything with you: To the contact form
Rollis für Afrika e.V. operates on a purely voluntary basis. All employees and helpers are volunteers who do their work because it is not a job for them, but a passion. Nevertheless, the association regularly needs money to finance, among other things, the transport containers for the wheelchairs, as well as the seminars and events for the educational work. If you want to support Wheelchairs for Africa, there are three different ways:
1. by making a direct donation in the amount that feels good and right for you. You can do this either through the Wheelchairs for Africa donation appeal: Rollies for Africa at Betterplace
2. as a life adventurer walk sponsor: become part of our charity walk and think about an amount you want to donate to Wheelchairs for Africa for every kilometer we walk. Whether you want to donate one cent per kilometer, 10 cents, 27 cents, 1 € or more is up to you. The duration of your partnership is also up to you, because you don't commit to anything and can withdraw at any time if you feel like it. Just send us a short message and we will discuss everything with you: To the contact form
