A Gesture for More Mobility and Independence
During our trip to Morocco in November 2022, we didn’t arrive empty-handed. Thanks to the generosity of friends and acquaintances working in hospitals, we were able to bring two donated wheelchairs. Since many Moroccans cannot afford medical visits, medications, or assistive devices, we came up with the idea of taking these wheelchairs with us to make everyday life a little easier for at least two people.
Our journey began in Chefchaouen, where we connected with several locals. We were deeply touched by the kindness and strong community bonds within the neighborhood. Many people we spoke to knew someone in need and eagerly helped us establish contact. This is how we met Amin.
Amin is 38 years old and lives with his family in a small house in Chefchaouen. He has had a physical disability since birth, which significantly limits his mobility. His old wheelchair was broken and unsafe, as the wheels frequently came off, posing a major risk—especially on the streets. Amin loves spending his free time at a café near his home, where he enjoys watching football with his friends. He is highly valued in his community, and it was heartwarming to see how everyone cared for him and shared his joy. He was truly happy and grateful to have a safe and reliable wheelchair, which allows him to move around more freely and safely. Seeing his smile warmed our hearts and reminded us once again why helping each other is so important.
In a small village in the Atlas Mountains, we met Abdullah and his family. Abdullah is 44 years old and was born with both physical and mental disabilities. He can hardly move or speak, which makes his daily life challenging and places a great burden on his family. Abdullah loves sitting in front of his house, observing life on the streets, and cherishes the attention from his friends and neighbors—even though he cannot communicate with them in words. He had never owned a wheelchair before, as his family could not afford medical visits or mobility aids.
Since Abdullah loves being around people and exploring new places, his older brother lovingly carries him on his backthrough the village, as he has no other way of moving around. The joy on his face when we placed him in his new wheelchair for the first time was indescribable. His radiant eyes deeply touched us, and his family was equally grateful, as the wheelchair provides them with significant relief in their daily caregiving efforts.
The Harsh Reality
Sadly, most parents don’t even know what illness their children suffer from, as they cannot afford medical examinations. As a result, children and adults often do not receive the proper treatment they need, leading to worsening conditions or, in the worst cases, death. It breaks our hearts to know that many of them would not have to endure such suffering if they had access to adequate medical care.
Even though our gesture was small, and it won’t change Amin and Abdullah’s lives entirely, we are grateful to have been able to bring them some happiness and improved mobility with the wheelchairs.
