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The Uhuru – bringing freedom to Zimbabwe’s remote communities

A recent update from the Riders Zimbabwe team reveals that the revolutionary motorcycle-sidecar ambulance developed by Riders for Health is having a fantastic impact on the lives of some of Zimbabwe's most vulnerable communities.


The Uhuru is the first motorised vehicle to be designed specifically to address the two major constraints facing impoverished communities in Africa ... ill-health and poverty. Click on the links below to read the most recent stories from the people benefiting from the Uhuru's extensive capabilities:

The Uhuru as emergency ambulance - Mr Johnathan Makoni describes how the Uhuru saved his wife and baby.

The Uhuru in community-based care - how the Uhuru is helping Mr Chiteka and his family to lessen the burden of AIDS.

The Uhuru as community business vehicle - the villagers of Mavango explain how business is booming thanks to the Uhuru.
The Uhuru is a multi-purpose vehicle; a revolutionary take on the traditional motorcycle and sidecar. Cost-effective, lightweight, and extremely sturdy, it has been designed to carry a stretcher and a safe-motherhood chair for women in threatening labour. It also has a power take-off at the back wheel which, when connected to a pump, can pump 120 litres of water a minute. With its trailer attached, the Uhuru can also be used to carry freight.

The pilot Uhuru project was funded by the World Bank Development Marketplace Award. The vehicle prototype was produced in the UK, but the research, development and now the production have all taken place in Zimbabwe. Following a long trial of its prototype, the Uhuru is now being placed in strategic districts for further assessment.

Extract from Riders for Health www.riders.org