Thondwe, Malawi… “I was amazed at how easy it was to assemble the BUV’s. In just a matter of moments the group of men had snapped them together. The vehicles are unlike anything I’ve ever seen, half-motorcycle and half car. They look like they have the versatility to do multiple tasks in a place like Malawi.”
Reporting is Mark Thiesen, an American missionary at the Namikango Maternity Hospital and Mission in Thondwe, Malawi. Mark watched his staff put together the new basic utility vehicle sent to them from the Malawi Project. The vehicle will serve as an ambulance that can move into the remote mountainous areas and bring pregnant mothers to the hospital for deliveries.
The basic utility vehicles are manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana USA by the Institute for Affordable Transportation, 5868 E. 71st St, #199 Indianapolis, IN 46220
The Malawi Project has now sent three of these units to Malawi in the past year. Two were sent to the central region, one to serve as transportation of commodities to market, and the second as a people mover. The third unit has gone to the southern region to serve as an ambulance.
The pictures show the Namikango staff putting the parts together to complete the BUV after its arrival in the country.