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Lethokuhle Moyo Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo South Rotary Club has donated 550 wheel chairs worth $91,000 to the less privileged in Bulawayo and surrounding communities. A member of Bulawayo South Rotary Club, Sandy Whitehead, said they partnered with Rotarians from the United States of America in raising the funds to buy the wheel chairs. Speaking at a handover meeting of five wheel chairs to Foundation for People with Disabilities, Whitehead said the wheel chairs would be donated to institutions and individuals.

“We donated because we’ve realised that the ill and disabled had challenges when traveling. We’ve even heard stories about mothers who carry their children on their backs who are 16 years and above which is such a huge burden,” said Whitehead.

A spokesperson Foundation For People with Disabilities, Benjamin Gumede said they were grateful to Bulawayo Rotary Club for supplying them with wheel chairs as this would significantly change the lives of youths living with disabilities.

“We thank the Bulawayo Rotary Club for donating the wheel chairs. We distributed wheel chairs to five youths living with disabilities aged between 18 and 22 years old.

“Three of these youths were being carried around by their parents on their backs and by giving them these wheel chairs it will not only help our youths but it will also lessen the burden of parents to these youths,” said Gumede.

Members of the organisation are said to be working on a voluntary basis and it is still looking for donors to partner with.
They are also appealing to people for office furniture and funds to manage their projects.