LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has brought over 7,000 wheelchairs and other mobility aids to Papua New Guinea over the last 12 years.
The latest donation took place last month in Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain.
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A hand-over ceremony was held on 7th of July at the Kokopo Fire Station where wheelchairs and other aids were presented to National Orthotics and Prosthetics Services’ (NOPS) representative Almah Kuambu.
“Because of the support of LDS Charities in donating wheelchairs, we will have many who will benefit,” Ms Kuambo said.
Ms Kuambu, an amputee herself, lost her leg at age 11 in an accident. She joined NOPS and works with other agencies to train those who distribute wheelchairs to recipients.
LDS Charities supported Ms Kuambu this month in Kokopo as she ran a three-day training seminar for 19 local health-care workers and others.
Catholic charitable agency, Callan Services, helped with the donation by organizing delivery and participating in training and therapy for recipients.
Eddie Alembo, Papua New Guinea welfare manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been overseeing the project on behalf of LDS Charities.
He says that in addition to the wheelchairs being given to individuals in and around Kokopo, others will be sent to other parts of the country for a total of 627 this year.
LDS Charities partners with other agencies to distribute wheelchairs around the world. The Church also donates spare parts, walkers, canes and crutches.
Watch a new motion graphic about LDS Charities and its global wheelchair distribution:
Watch a short video about the Church’s humanitarian work in 185 countries around the world: