About Us

History

In 1996, two missionary friends, Larry Hills and Delbert Groves, began discussing ways they could help people with disabilities in Zaire—now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. From that simple conversation, the idea for a three-wheeled mobility cart was born and named Personal Energy Transformation (P.E.T.). Shortly after their discussion, Larry retired and returned to the United States where he began working to raise awareness and support for people with disabilities. Delbert remained in Africa and has continued the work ever since.

In the year 2000, due to civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Delbert relocated the project to the neighboring country of Zambia. Previously, a cargo shipping container of a few hundred unassembled carts was sent each year. Our responsibility was to assemble and distribute them. It soon became costly to ship the containers and did not meet the overwhelming requests for a mobility cart. This led to a new phase of the ministry that allowed us to manufacture the carts locally, within Zambia, and then distribute them as soon as they were built! We were now able to manufacture 50 carts per month and they were either collected by the handicap individuals or delivered to areas of need as soon as they were built.

Over the last 26 years in Zambia, and it’s surrounding 8 countries, over 15,000 carts have been built and distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The P.E.T. Ministry has now been rebranded as Mobility International Mission to help others clearly understand that we are working with disabled people.

Please join us in our ongoing commitment of bringing purpose, dignity, and hope to the mobility challenged individuals in need.

Our Team

Passion. Dedication. Expertise.

Meet our passionate team, dedicated to breaking the stigma of disability in Africa! With unwavering energy, they focus on restoring hope through mobility. Their inspiring commitment is set to promote an inclusive society by bringing those hidden in the shadows, back into the light. Together, we are making a significant impact, one mobility cart at a time!

Delbert Groves

Founding Director

Delbert Groves

USA & Zambia

Josephine Mbilishi

Operations & Outreach Director

Josephine Mbilishi

Zambia

Anita Held

Mobility International Mission Director & Marketing

Anita Held

Zambia

Emily Padilla

Mobility International Mission Administration & Data Coordinator

Emily Padilla

Zambia

Francis Chilenga

Mobility International Mission Community Coordinator

Francis Chilenga

Zambia

Some High Praise From

Those We Worked With

Meet the people who's lives have been radically changed by the gift of mobility.

Susan

Susan was born with cerebral palsy and her mother died in childbirth. She is 9 years old and lives in an orphanage. This little girl was brought on a mat to the last distribution we did in Kalomo.

We did not have enough mobility devices with us then to give her one. She was unable to sit up so we said we could modify the Mobility cart into a Pull cart so her caretaker could pull her around. I was asked by the teacher working with her to please give her a regular cart to see if it could help her cognitive development first.
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Yesterday we brought Susan her own mobility device. She laid on a mat on the ground unable to sit. We placed her into the cart and tightened the seatbelt so she couldn’t fall out…it was like a light went on for her. She got so excited she managed to sit up on her own and started to pedal with one hand! She could not stop laughing with joy as she tried with all her might to drive with both hands.


We all watched in awe, as this miracle took place before our eyes and hope bubbled up in this little girl’s heart!

Obvious

Meet Obvious, he is from a farming community in Kalomo district here in Zambia. He is 12 years old and stands at less than 3 feet tall. He was born with a defect, his twin sister was fine. Obvious travels 3 kilometers each day just to get to school.​

Today Obvious was blessed with the gift of mobility. We needed to put a brick under his feet so he could sit on the edge of the seat and pedal as his feet couldn’t quite reach the floor. Within moments he was pedaling and zooming around! He told us he dreams to be a teacher one day.

This gift of mobility has helped Obvious to have hope, dream, and changed his life forever!

Gladys

This is Gladys, she is 47 years old and lives in Sawmills compound, one of the most impoverished and crime ridden areas in Livingstone. A few years back she suddenly lost her ability to walk. Doctors can’t explain. Now she sits outside her door each day and watches life go by.

Upon arrival, Gladys lit up with joy and laughter. She knew her hopeless situation was about to change. We helped her onto her new Mobility Cart and she was eager to venture out of her yard. She drove down her road laughing while onlookers watched amazed at the new mobility the lady they always see sitting at her door had found.

David

Yesterday I met King David…a 5 year old born with Spina Bifida and suffers terribly with Sickle Cell Anemia. He is the youngest of two boys disabled, and a small sister. His life has been riddled with suffering, but today he told me how cool spider man was as he gave me a high five!

He was placed onto his own children’s mobility cart and his eyes lit up…in a moment he realized the freedom and fun of mobility from the cart he was just gifted. Today his life is forever changed, hope restored!

You have questions ~ We have Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

For just $150, Mobility International Mission can build and distribute a mobility cart to someone in need. Every cart is given as a free gift of mobility, restoring dignity, purpose and hope to people unable to walk.

You can make a donation directly on our website, sponsor a mobility cart, or contribute through fundraising events. Every gift goes directly toward building and distributing carts to those who need them most.

The program began when our founder saw the urgent need for mobility solutions in communities affected by disease, accidents, and disabilities. What started as a single prototype has grown into thousands of mobility carts distributed across Zambia and beyond.

Churches and organizations can partner by hosting fundraising events, organizing donation drives, volunteering their time or resources, or helping with distribution efforts. We work closely with partners to maximize impact in local communities.

Our carts are hand-pedalled, designed for rough terrain, lightweight yet durable, and specifically adapted to meet the environmental and cultural needs of the communities we serve. Unlike standard wheelchairs, they are easy to maintain and empower users to move independently.

Each cart is built using a combination of steel and locally sourced wood. We begin with angle iron and square tubing to construct a strong, durable chassis. The frame is then fitted with wood from the local area, making each cart both practical and sustainable.

The carts are equipped with 4-inch-wide solid rubber tires with heavy-duty bearings, designed to handle dirt paths, rocky terrain, and uneven surfaces with ease. A hardened sprocket system is installed at both the top and bottom of the crank assembly, connected by an industrial-strength farm chain to ensure long-lasting performance.

Each cart is finished with a locally available green oxide paint for protection and durability. All fasteners used in construction are high-quality, ensuring the cart remains reliable for many years.

Our team works hand-in-hand with local leaders, schools, hospitals, and community groups. Through direct outreach, training programs, and ongoing support, we ensure that every cart is used effectively and that the community remains engaged and empowered.

View all Frequently Asked Questions

Restoring  Dignity,

Purpose & Hope

breaking the stigma of disability in sub-Saharan Africa

Give the Gift of Mobility