Last week, we funded the distribution of 20 wheelchairs to people living with disabilities in Magburaka, Tonkolili District, and Makeni, Bombali District, in collaboration with Mobility Sierra Leone.
But behind these 20 wheelchairs are, above all, 20 stories, 20 people and 20 lives that can now be a little freer.
It all started with meeting Massa, a young woman in her twenties living in one of the villages where we carry out our health promotion activities.
When Sarah met her, Massa had come to attend one of our awareness sessions, crawling on all fours over the rocky ground. She was born with a disability and had received a wheelchair several years ago, but it had deteriorated considerably and had been unusable for a long time. Since then, she had been moving around on all fours, and for longer distances, her brother had to carry her, including when she needed to go to the farm where she grows groundnuts with her family. She is the mother of an 8-year-old daughter, and sadly, her husband passed away last year.
Despite everything she has been through, Massa continues to smile. She faces life with a strength and courage that are truly admirable. 
Today, thanks to her new wheelchair, she has regained greater dignity, mobility, comfort and independence. And on top of that, this wheelchair opens up new possibilities for her: she will now be able to accompany her daughter, who has not yet started school, to the school in the neighbouring village.
Living with a disability in Sierra Leone, particularly in rural areas, too often means facing enormous daily challenges when it comes to moving around, working, accessing essential services and fully participating in community life.
Yet these women and men continue to fight every day to live, work, support their families and build their future.
They deserve to be seen, heard, respected and supported.
At UMPIWE, we are proud to have played a small part in giving them a little more dignity, independence and freedom of movement.
A huge thank you to Mobility Sierra Leone for their work and to everyone who makes these initiatives possible. 
