WVM donates K14 million worth of wheelchairs

World Vision Malawi (WVM) on Thursday donated 33 wheelchairs worth K14 million to children with physical disabilities in Traditional Authority (TA) Chakhaza and Kayembe in Dowa, with an aim of easing mobility challenges the children face on a daily basis.

• Peoples Party Rally energizes Nyambadwe Community
  By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network All roads lead to Nyambadwe School Ground today as the Peoples Party gears…
• 30 days to decide Malawi’s destiny: UDF calls for change
  By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network Malawi now has just 30 days to make a crucial choice about its…
• UTM’s Manifesto Launch: Kabambe positioned as Malawi’s cure to poverty
  By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network Malawi’s greatest disease is poverty. This challenge has crippled the nation for decades.…
• Mukhito set to launch blueprint manifesto for Lilongwe City Center Constituency
  By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network All is set for the groundbreaking, people-centred manifesto launch for Lilongwe City Center…
• Malawi Tourism Industry Awards Returns with Promising Edition
  By Jones Gadama The Malawi Tourism Council (MTC) has announced the highly anticipated return of the Malawi Tourism Industry Awards…

In an interview after donating 21 of the wheelchairs at Chikhobwe in T/A Chakhaza, Arnold Tsalayekha, WVM Programmes Manager for Kasungu and Dowa said the organization decided to make the donation as one way of easing mobility challenges the children face.

“As a child focused organization, it is our desire to see every child enjoying life in all its fullness and this includes children with disabilities. So we realized that there are a lot of children facing mobility challenges in the catchments we serve. It becomes difficult for parents to take the children to school, in accessing health care amongst others.

“With this support, we believe they will now be able to engage positively with their friends at school and in the community. Even the parents can also have ample time to engage in other activities which can improve their livelihoods,” he said.

The donation has been made through a project called Able-To-Thrive which the organization is implementing.

The wheelchairs have been specifically designed according to the needs of the children.

In his remarks, Director of Health and Social Services for Dowa district council Dr Peter Makoza said the donation will help children to have a better social life.

“We are looking at children who have difficulties with mobility, not only to and from school but also in socializing with other children, because due to mobility challenges, they were sort of isolated.

“But now they will be able to interact with their peers, which will help them both socially and intellectually. We are thankful to WVM for the donation and we ask other organizations who can, to come in and help because we have many other children in the district with similar needs,” he said.

Maria Dickson of Chikasauka village, mother to a 5 year old boy with a physical challenge said the wheelchair will help her child going to school which she said was a challenge.

“With this wheelchair, I will be able to get my child to school where he can get an education.
I will also be able to travel long distances with him, which was a challenge too,” she said.