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History
PET is a faith-based, volunteer-powered, humanitarian and world-wide 501c3 organization. PET Project history and
assembly sites began
in 1995 as a ministry for those in greatest need of mobility. The
PET Project ministry continues growing to serve the overwhelming
needs in some of the most desperate places in the world. The
majority of the gifts of mobility have been the three-wheeled,
hand-cranked wheelchairs now affectionately called "PETs."
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PET Project Philosophy
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The PET Project is not wed
to just this particular model of machine. Besides raising funds for building PET vehicles, we collect other used mobility devices such as canes, foldable walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs. Even if they need minor repairs/replacement parts, we receive and send them on to one of our distribution partners, Hope Haven International Ministries, in Iowa. They refurbish used mobility devices and distribute along with our PETs in over 60 countries to date. Its goal is the
GIFT OF MOBILITY for all of God's people in need. We will cooperate
and share with anyone working toward that goal. We want to work
with all groups, religious or secular and seek to provide mobility
first for those in greatest need and with least resources.
We seek to involve lay persons in the Church as major servants
in this mission. The PET Project is a part of the ministry
of Jesus Christ, whose disciples said "In the name of
Jesus Christ, arise and walk." Acts 3:6 We
are open to serve and work with those whose lord is not Jesus.
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Places of Use
PET Project has
sent mobility to the following countries to date:
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Congo/Zambia:
The frames and wheels for the PET are shipped there via container,
and the wooden part (we call this the 'bed') is made and then
distributed. They have 4,400 persons on a waiting list. |
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Other areas:
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin,
Bolivia, Bosnia, Brasil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Columbia, Costa
Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon,
Georgia (Russia), Gaza, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,
India, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Madagascar,
Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Montagnon, Namibia, Nepal,
Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Peru, Philippines, Russia,
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tajikstan, Tanzania, Thailand,
Trinidad, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Bank,
Western Sahara, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have all received
one or more PETs. |
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A Gift of Mobility
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Child and
Adult sizes
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Supports Rugged Terrain
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Side view
(child size)
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PET Design
The
PET has been extensively field tested and is designed to be:
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STURDY,
in order to provide services for the rider for many years
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SIMPLE, to be
easily maintained in outpost conditions
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LOW-COST, so
the donor dollar can serve as many as possible - $250
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These requirements have led
to the following details of the design:
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Hand-cranked or lever
powered: The hand-cranked model has proven most successful
in most field conditions. The lever-powered model works
well in hospitals and rehab centers; few are made.
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Sturdy tires:
The PET uses sturdy and low cost wheelbarrow wheels and tires
with tubes, or non-puncture tires.
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Two sizes: PETs
are made in both child and adult sizes.
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Adaptability:
The PET can be adapted to a wide variety of bed or seat configurations.
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Simple brakes:
The PET has a front-wheel brake, with a simple wood-wedge
parking brake on a rear wheel.
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Despite this robustness,
the PET is not an all-terrain vehicle. It will not go everywhere.
Its ability to move is limited to the muscle power of the driver.
As the driver uses the vehicle more, he/she gains strength. Other
notes are:
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The PET moves out at
about the speed of a fast walk.
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There are always "trade-offs"
in designing any machine. The crank pedals of the PET always
turn. This gives a needed reverse gear, but when coasting
downhill the driver should remove his/her hand from the cranks
and steer with the steering tiller/brake handle, slowing the
speed by pushing down on the brake handle.
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We are continuing design work on a PUSH or PULL PET for a person whose arms cannot power the standard PET. Both models assist the caretaker as well as the rider/recipient. A missionary in Zambia says in his area there are as many in need of this new design as the standard PET. |
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PET Manufacturing
PET is quickly becoming
a global operation. There are hundreds of individuals and/or
men's groups across the USA building parts for the PET. These
parts are shipped to the PET Place in Columbia, MO, for further
work, assembly, or distribution. |
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Columbia, Missouri - USA: The PET Place receives parts
made by volunteers and donated by businesses. The PETs
are assembled and shipped to where needed.
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Congo/Zambia - Africa: They receive the steel to cut and
weld, tires, and other parts from Columbia, add the wooden
beds (seat and cargo space), and distribute. |
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For an up to date list of PET Affiliates, go to www.petinternational.org (opens in new window). |
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