My graduation project was a collaboration between The Hague University of Applied Sciences Movement Technology & Health Research Departments and the MOVENDI Foundation which has an ongoing project in Tanzania. The MOVENDI Foundation is committed to improving the living conditions of people with physical disabilities. The Foundation focuses primarily on those countries and population groups where people with physical disabilities are offered few opportunities.

My project was designing, building and testing Version 2 of the MOVENDI FrameRunner. A FrameRunner is a three-wheeled mobility aid with a sturdy frame, seat, chest support and handlebars. It does not have pedals. Rather, the children push off the ground to move forward. It is designed for children who cannot walk independently, have balance issues or limb disorders. Being in motion improves the children's health and wellbeing. Importantly, the FrameRunner allows them to easily participate in active recreation with other (able-bodied) children and HAVE FUN.

The first MOVENDI FrameRunners were built in 2024 in collaboration with the DAGE Workshop (Disabled Aids and General Engineering) and PEC Industries with partial financing from the Tanzanian government.

My task was to get feedback about the 2024 design and work with the DAGE team to get MOVENDI 2.0 designed, built and tested. I also created a “design-and-build” kit so that this version of the FrameRunner can be made in the workshop and can be taken to other schools across Tanzania (and beyond). I’m hoping there will be opportunities after the project to carry on with this work in other countries and in partnership with other bicycle-related projects which also have a community-oriented health focus.