MOROCCO ROC CHAIR FACTORYROC just received the final prototype of the Moroccan steel version of the ROC Chair from our partners in Casablanca, Morocco at AMH (Amicale Moraccine Des Handicapes). This day has been the culmination of three year of planning, grant writing, and research and development. ROC’s first visit to the Centre Noor was back in April of 2008. Within minutes it was agreed by all parties, that developing a local ROC Chair manufacturing operation was required to help mobilize disabled children not just in Casablanca, but throughout Western Africa. ROC believes in supporting American businesses, but serving the worldwide need for mobility products is only possible by empowering nationals to provide for their own needs- “Teach a man to fish!” Thanks to World Learning / USAID, AMH, and the Morocco Foundation for helping to make this dream become a reality!
This mission has certainly been an uphill battle. It took over a year of negotiations, strategy development, and grant writing to even get started. The work behind the stage was very challenging, but the real work began when we started to try to find local materials that would meet our quality control requirements. This created several new challenges and took creative problem solving to alter the design of the ROC Chair based on local capabilities and availability of materials while retaining all the features and custom positioning for the wheelchair recipient. One example was the realization that aluminum tube for the frame is far too expensive in Morocco so we had to experiment with using steel tube. Our concern was adding significant weight which would make moving and transporting the ROC Chair more difficult for the children and their families. The benefit of using steel tube was that we could reduce the number of pieces and supports by incorporating welding into the operation. After a great deal of testing an
d design modification, we found that the weight of the steel ROC Chair was nearly the same as our aluminum model!
Much of the credit for reaching this point should be directed to our partners in Moroccan. AMH’s President, Mohamed Khadiri, gathered together a strong team of dedicated specialists for this mission. AMH’s Chief Manufacturing Manager, Fouad Mehboub has worked tirelessly under a restrictive budget and tight timeline. We look forward to returning to Morocco soon to see the ROC Chair in full production at the Centre Noor and help with the first distribution of “Made in Morocco” ROC Chairs.
d design modification, we found that the weight of the steel ROC Chair was nearly the same as our aluminum model!Much of the credit for reaching this point should be directed to our partners in Moroccan. AMH’s President, Mohamed Khadiri, gathered together a strong team of dedicated specialists for this mission. AMH’s Chief Manufacturing Manager, Fouad Mehboub has worked tirelessly under a restrictive budget and tight timeline. We look forward to returning to Morocco soon to see the ROC Chair in full production at the Centre Noor and help with the first distribution of “Made in Morocco” ROC Chairs.
YEWTHS ROC PROGRAM- INSPIRING LOCAL YOUTH
ROC’s youth programs continue to expand throughout Montana. This past Saturday we performed a successful test of our new mobile ROC Chair assembly operation with nine students from Manhattan Christian Reformed Church. Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply gave ROC a great deal on a new fourteen foot enclosed trailer capable of transporting our four mobile workstations to schools, service organizations, and churches. Last Friday ROC received a very kind donation of a GMC Yukon from Bozeman’s own Double O Inc. Soon both the Yukon and trailer will have a custom graphic wraps thanks to Insty Prints and local businesses. Another great way to show the businesses that support ROC, while spreading awareness for ROC’s mission and those we serve.
The mobile unit is capable of transporting five ROC Chairs in component form within the four workstations. Once wheeled out the workstations allow for volunteers to learn about the ROC Chair and how each and every component is designed to support and empower the child who will receive this precious gift. The volunteers, mostly children and teenagers, are able to greatly impact the life of a child while learning about how to design and manufacture products that help others. It is important to mention that this program is to help spread awareness and inspire people. This method of assembling ROC Chairs is more costly than other alternatives, but we believe that the added cost is justified to benefit everyone involved. We rely upon the generous donations of all of you to make this program possible. If you or your family would like to come and assemble a ROC Chair together please notify ROC Wheels staff. The cost is $350 and it will take about two to three hours to assemble a complete ROC Chair and prepare it for delivery to a child in a less resourced countries. For those feeling especially adventurous you can join ROC on the distribution and help custom fit the ROC Chair that you assembled to the special needs of a disabled child. What a truly wonderful way to bring the family together while helping someone in need.
