Distribution of “Wheelchairs for Kids” to Mission Hospital in Zambia

The feature story in the AAMEG Newsletter September issue was about a request sent out to AAMEG members for help to transport a container load of 160 wheelchairs manufactured and donated by Wheelchairs for Kids in Perth, to a Salvation Army hospital in Zambia. The hospital was having difficulty raising the funds needed to pay for the cost of transport from Perth to Zambia. Subsequently, Airland Logistics came to the rescue and with its partners, paid for the full cost of the transport. The following is the second chapter to this truly inspirational story.

Members of the Salvation Army Headquarters in Zambia collected the shipment of chairs in Lusaka on the 21st of September. Representatives from the Mission Hospital then collected the chairs for delivery to their village.

These photographs tell the story from delivery and loading, to the first day of distribution on the 9th November, 2012.

After delivery of the wheelchairs to the Chikankata Mission Hospital, the following heartfelt response was received from Lydnsey Ledger of the Chikankata Mission Hospital in Zambia.

“On behalf of Chikankata Mission Hospital and the children who will be helped with the wheelchairs, God bless you. They are starting to be built up now and everyone is so excited. Our local Chief will come and help us to distribute the chairs to the children who so desperately need them.
You see just what you have done and how you have helped to change lives. It cannot be underestimated how amazing your support has been and I look forward to sharing the joy of the distribution of the chairs in the near future.”

The village Chief, Chieftainess Mweenda, was in attendance to bless the children in their new chairs on the first day of distribution. Members of the Zambian Salvation Army Headquarters were also there, as well as the news channel ZNBC who were covering the story. The gratitude is also echoed in the following response to the outcome of the cooperative generosity which was witnessed by most of Zambia that day.

“Without the wonderful people who raised the funds and actually make the chairs, we would not have been able to see the children sit in a good position for the first time. They would not now have the freedom and opportunity that their new chair brings them and the chance to see the world from a unique position and be a part of the lives of the family and community.
Without the generosity of Airland Logistics we would never have seen these chairs or the difference that they have made as the cost of shipping proved too expensive for a rural Zambian Mission hospital. We cannot say in words how grateful we are but please know that you have been angels to these precious children and thanks to you their lives are now changed.” Lyndsey Ledger – Chikankata Mission Hospital.

In time, there are outreach clinics in 9 rural communities who will also be receiving these chairs for many needy children.