We recently spoke with Rugbeian Eshan Madhvani (K 16-21) about his family-led effort that has quietly changed hundreds of lives in Uganda through the creation of wheelchairs with the opportunity to work within the families match business.

The story began while Eshan was still at Rugby School. His family runs one of the largest safety match manufacturing businesses in East Africa, and during his school years, he and his father started donating wheelchairs to people with disabilities. In Uganda, where there is very little government support for disabled individuals, many people rely entirely on the help of community groups or charities.

What makes the family’s work distinctive is its simplicity and practicality. The wheelchairs, often made from adapted Rally bicycles, are sturdy, repairable and suited to Uganda’s terrain. Some come in the form of hand‑pedalled tricycles, others are more traditional wheelchairs. Each one is adjusted to suit the person receiving it.

Over time, the donations grew into something more connected. For those old enough and interested, the family offers jobs within their factories. This isn’t a formal programme or charity, just a natural extension of wanting to support people beyond the moment of receiving a wheelchair. As Eshan explained, the intention was never to create a grand scheme but rather to respond to individuals who simply needed a chance.

Many of the wheelchairs go to children, and returning to school is often the most immediate impact. For adults, the opportunity to work brings stability and dignity. The family also provides education, housing and medical support to employees, forming a small community built around care as much as work.

Eshan repeatedly emphasised that effort is collaborative, longstanding and rooted in everyday reality rather than big statements. The work continues steadily, with the next round of wheelchair donations planned for April.

Reflecting on his school years, he smiles at the memory of classes with former Latin teacher Mr. Tim Day and laughs about spending more time on side projects than on textbooks. Yet he also credits Rugby with giving him the freedom to explore ideas and to act on them.

Our call with Eshan coincided with International Wheelchair Day on March 3rd, a day to highlight and raise awareness of the difficulties experienced by wheelchair users.