Wheels of Hope: A Child’s Journey to New Possibilities Through the Gift of a Mobility Cart

Seven-year-old Reithabetse beams with joy outside her home; her mobility cart opening new paths to play, friendship, and hope.

Lerato Brown

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

By: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, Lesotho

Seven-year-old Reithabetse was the heartbeat of her neighborhood in Koalabata, Maseru. Her grandmother, ‘Mateboho, often had to call her in from playing outside just to eat. “She was always laughing, always running around, always bringing joy to everyone. Her friends would gather at our house every day because she made everything feel like an adventure,” Mateboho recalls.

"...She was always laughing, always running around, always bringing joy to everyone."

But in November 2024, that joy disappeared. A fall while playing with friends led to a diagnosis of a spinal cord tumor. Following surgery, Reithabetse was left paralyzed from the waist down. The child who once couldn’t be kept indoors now sat quietly, watching life pass by through the window.

Reithabetse’s grandmother, ‘Mateboho, gently carries her granddaughter; a daily reminder of the challenges they face since Reithabetse lost the ability to walk

“While Reithabetse could walk, she was always outside playing with her friends. We even had to fetch her from the playground just to come home and eat because she enjoyed the outdoors. It has been heartbreaking to watch her just sitting there and unable to do what she loves. She is so young and has a bright future ahead of her. I often ask God in my prayers if this is fair on her and if I will ever experience my granddaughter’s energy and smile again,” 'Mateboho says.

"It has been heartbreaking to watch her just sitting there and unable to do what she loves." - 'Mateboho

For months, Reithabetse’s bright spirit dimmed. Her dreams of starting Grade 1 seemed distant, and the outdoors she loved felt unreachable. Then, in February 2025, World Vision Lesotho delivered hope on wheels: a mobility cart. “I was so happy when I saw the cart for the first time. It looked like a big toy I can play with, and I couldn’t wait to start using it,” Reithabetse says, her eyes lighting up.

A Gift-in-Kind mobility cart donated by Mobility Worldwide; a beautiful symbol of hope and independence, designed to help children like Reithabetse rediscover freedom and joy

At first, she simply sat on the cart in her yard while recovering from surgery, feeling the sun on her face. With encouragement from her grandmother and help from her cousin Mpho, she gradually learned to move around. Soon, friends returned, pushing her along and playing together, filling the yard with laughter once more.

“I was so happy when I saw the cart for the first time. It looked like a big toy I can play with, and I couldn’t wait to start using it." - Reithabetse

“Ever since I started learning how to drive the cart, my friends now visit me again, and I enjoy them pushing me and playing with me at home. I can’t wait to drive my cart outside the yard and go to the shops with my friends to buy sweets,” Reithabetse beams.

Reithabetse enjoys the warmth of the sun from her mobility cart; a simple moment that now feels like freedom, joy, and the return of childhood.

"My friends now visit me again, and I enjoy them pushing me and playing with me at home." - Reithabetse

For her family, the change has been profound. “When World Vision delivered the mobility cart, I was so happy for my granddaughter,” Mateboho reflects. “This meant she would no longer be stuck in the house but be able to move around independently, play with her friends, and eventually go back to school. My ultimate prayer for Reithabetse is for her health to be restored so that she can walk again because she was not born like this. But while we wait on the Lord, it is my dream that this mobility cart will help restore her childhood.

Reithabetse with her grandmother, Mateboho, and sister, Mpho ; a family bound by love, faith, and renewed hope made possible through the gift of mobility

Since she is fast learning to use the cart, we plan for her to go back to school to do her Grade 1 in 2026. When she grows up, I want her to look back on her life and celebrate that because of the mobility the cart gave her, she was able to enjoy being a child and her future restored because she could go back to school.”

Her cousin Mpho adds, “I am so happy that my little cousin received the mobility cart because we are now able to play together. I look forward to going to the shops with her and everywhere we want to go together.” Reithabetse herself shares her excitement: “I cannot wait to drive my cart outside the yard so that I can go to school with my friend. I get bored when I am alone at home and they are at school, and I have no one to play with.”

Reithabetse and her sister Mpho play happily outside their home; laughter and togetherness restored

Reithabetse’s transformation is inspiring her community, showing that limitations don’t define a child’s future. “Every time I see her moving in the yard, laughing with her friends, I’m reminded that even the smallest gifts can change lives,” Mateboho says.

“I cannot wait to drive my cart outside the yard so that I can go to school with my friend." - Reithabetse

Through one generous gift, a child’s spark has returned, friendships are renewed, and a future once limited by circumstance is now filled with hope and the promise of new adventures. “When I grow up, I want to be a teacher so I can be friends with other children like me who can’t walk,” Reithabetse declares with determination. “And I know one day I will be a teacher, because now that I have a cart, I will get to go to school,” Reithabetse says with a bright smile.