• here are some action points!

 We need help to continue to open new doors into Africa and deliver mobility to the invisible people with Physical disabilities.

So then, the question of how to get  us to ship to YOUR area.
Our plan is that C4A collects the md's and ships the container.  The cost for this part is covered by C4A.  Application in writing via email is fine, but must include an NGO that will take responsibility for clearing and moving the items to their final destination to be disseminated for free to those in need.

Once the container arrives at the port, all expenses should be covered by the recipient country/organization.  Our experience is that honest clearing fees run about $2,000 USD.  Keep in mind that a 40' container, when filled with mostly crutches, canes and walkers and a few wheelchairs will hold between 3,000 to 5,000 md's!  (Wheelchairs take up a lot of space... a 40' container will only hold about 280 wheelchairs.) So when averaged out the cost to clear these items into the recipient hands is about 50 U.S. cents each! 

Then there needs to be short term storage in place near or at the port for unloading and splitting the md's up into distribution consignments.

Those who will be doing the distribution come to this storage area and pick up what is designated to them, and take it back to their home areas for distribution.

For a distribution network we recommend Rotary Clubs and/or a network of churches.  A minimum in the network would be 10 (that would be 300 md's per site,  if there is 3,000 in the container for example) and more is often better, as there are often those who don't follow thru on their commitment.

Ideally, it is good to have the md's available for pickup when there is something else happening in the surrounding area.  They will be coming to the city for another reason.  That way they can do two things at once, and it helps to defray their fuel cost.

We highly recommend providing C4A with a list of people helped, and any disability groups that are involved/represented.  In this way c4A can help connect the disability groups inside the country, and also to connect them to regional groups as well. We love feedback from recipient groups and individuals, with photos if possible, so we can feature them on our website, or newsletters.

If you need any information about C4A the web site is a good resource and I can also send you some DVD's of previous distributions.  Please give our web address to potential donors as well so that we can continue funding collections here in the U.S.A.

Yours Faithfully,
David and Candice Talbot
Co Founders of Crutches4Africa