Once upon a time, in a bustling city in Germany, a family was anxiously returning from the hospital. Their beloved grandfather had collapsed while watching television and had to be rushed to the hospital.
“Father, you really gave us quite a scare,” said the son, his voice filled with concern.
“It’s just old age catching up, son. I’m not as young and healthy as I used to be,” replied the grandfather, trying to lighten the mood.
“You’re not that old, dad. You even know how to operate a smartphone!” chuckled the mother, joining in the banter.
At that moment, two children rushed in and embraced their grandfather, their faces lighting up with joy.
“Grandfather, you’re back!” they exclaimed.
“Yes, my little ones. It was just the old joints that needed oiling. I’m all fixed up now,” the grandfather reassured them.
“You guys are lucky,” he continued, “Here, you just call the ambulance, and it comes right to your doorstep within a very short space of time. Back in my day, we had to walk long distances for hours to the nearest clinic. Come, sit down, and let me tell you a story.”
The children’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “It’s story time! We love your stories, grandpa!”
“Alright, let’s sit down and I’ll tell you the story of the Bicycle Ambulance, also known as the Care Car,” began the grandfather.
“There once was a village in the deep roots of Malawi. Life was simple, and people depended on farming, mining, and fishing to survive. When people fell sick, they would visit the traditional healers and recover in no time with the help of herbs.
However, trouble would arise when a woman had complications during childbirth or when people had serious illnesses that required a visit to the doctor’s office.”
“So, what did they do, grandpa? How did they get to the hospital if they lived as far as you say?” asked the girl, her eyes wide with curiosity.
“Well, they would walk. Sometimes, they would have to carry the ill person on a makeshift stretcher bed and walk all the way to the hospital. They did not have accessible roads that cars could use. The only other mode of transport you could find was the bicycle, and only a few families could afford them,” explained the grandfather.
“So, one day, visitors from a country here in Europe called Holland came to the village. They brought with them a special gift – a bicycle that the whole village could use. This was no ordinary bicycle. It came with a carrier that had a stretcher bed where one could lay down or sit comfortably when going to the hospital. It was an ambulance, a bicycle ambulance.”
“The villagers were overjoyed. No more walking long distances for hours. The bicycle ambulance, which required no fuel to run, just pressure in the tyres and the rider’s energy, made life much easier. They still use the bicycle ambulance to this day in places that include Balaka, Mangochi, Lilongwe, Chiradzulu, Blantyre, and even Lundazi in Zambia. The Care Car has helped reduce deaths of women giving birth and child mortality.”
“Now, I am tired and ready for my power nap in preparation for another story. But remember, my little ones, every challenge has a solution, and sometimes, the simplest solutions can make the biggest difference.”
With that, the grandfather closed his eyes, and the children scampered off to help their mother in the kitchen, their minds filled with images of the magical Care Car.
And so, the tale of the Care Car became a cherished story in the family, a tale of resilience, innovation, and the power of simple solutions.
The End
carronblog 