In the quiet hills of Lairangi village, David Mwenda has built his life around his farm.
A proud member of the Lairangi Disability Group, David has worked hard over the years to tend his crops and support his livelihood.
But an old prosthesis had gradually made everyday life much harder.
When a device becomes a barrier
The foot of David's prosthesis was badly worn and its suspension was no longer adequate. Every step became uncertain.
He often depended on a walking stick or another person's support to move around. Farming — something he deeply valued — became painful and exhausting.
The problem was not David's determination. His prosthesis was simply no longer providing the support he needed.
An assessment brings a new possibility
When an assessment team visited the Lairangi Disability Group, they noticed David's difficulty walking.
His gait was uneven and his movements were laboured. The team listened to his experience and examined the prosthesis carefully.
It became clear that David needed a new below-knee prosthesis.
A few weeks later, he was fitted with the new device.
The first steps
When David stood up with the new prosthesis, the change was immediate. He took a cautious step, then another.
Gradually, uncertainty gave way to confidence.
For the first time in years, David was able to walk without holding onto something for support.
DAVID'S WORDS
“I feel like myself again.”
Back to the farm
Today, David can move around his farm with greater confidence. He can plough, plant and harvest without the same constant fear of falling.
The new prosthesis has made a practical difference to his everyday life, allowing him to reconnect with the work that gives him purpose and supports his livelihood.
Standing beside his cows, David carries himself differently. The device has restored more than physical mobility. It has helped restore his confidence and sense of independence.
What once felt like an ending has become a new beginning. For David, every step now carries the promise of independence, dignity and renewed hope.