Media release 1 December 2005

Making a difference on World Aids Day

As people around the world acknowledged World Aids Day by highlighting the realities and challenges of HIV/Aids, it is significant that those who live with the challenges of immobility and restricted freedom of movement are remembered. In many cases, this handicap is the result of the debilitating effect of this disease.

Today, a special event was celebrated where the first of 500 wheelchairs were handed over to people whose lives and those of their families will be changed dramatically for the better. Benefactor of this generous and life-changing gesture is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Church has been involved with many humanitarian service programmes, including partnering with Rotary International to deliver wheelchairs into needy communities around the world. Missions Head of the Church in South Africa, President Danny Brock, himself a past District Governor of Rotary in United States of America, said that the Church had a good relationship with Rotary and for this reason had appointed Rotary to act as a vehicle for distributing the wheelchairs here in Durban. “Members of the Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana, through their various projects, have gained good knowledge of the needs of the community at grass roots level and so are ideally placed to ensure that the wheelchairs are delivered to those most in need of assistance.”

Chris Wilkinson, President of Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana, expressed his gratitude to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for allowing Rotary to be part of this outreach programme. “There are two containers of wheelchairs ready for distribution which will greatly enhance the quality of life for each recipient by providing mobility, independence and greater freedom. Not only will 500 people enjoy greater community integration but many more people will benefit as caregivers and family members are relieved of the burden of caring for immobile people in their community.”

Recently a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the eThekwini Municipality and Rotary District 9270, acknowledging the mutual benefit to both organisations to work together. The benefit of the MOU is evidenced by the choice of the City Hall as a venue for this event and the fact that eThekwini Municipality, represented by Councillor K V Moodley, was in attendance to witness the handover of the wheelchairs. Cllr Moodley recalled President Mbeki’s challenge to all South Africans to become a volunteering nation. The handing over of the wheelchairs was evidence of the response to this call.

Recipients of the wheelchairs included pupils at the Ethembeni School and Brown’s School, and people involved with the Association for the Physically Challenges, the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) and the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities.

Ari Seirlis, National Director of QASA, in thanking the benefactors on behalf of QASA, challenged the City Fathers to make Durban more user friendly, in terms of transport and buildings with wheelchair access, for people who use wheelchairs as a means of mobility. He highlighted the fact that physically challenged people are not “confined to a wheelchairs, but use wheelchairs as tools of freedom.” With that freedom, said Seirlis, people are then able to integrate into society, a society that must, and should, offer transport and employment opportunities. This would provide the wheelchair user independence and a better chance of social interaction, leading to friendships and marriage and having families of their own.

Rotary District 9270 in KwaZulu-Natal has played a significant role in uplifting the lives and living conditions of thousands of people and continually strives to serve the community in projects that are relevant and effective. Projects cover the spectrum of needs from health, sanitation, water, literacy and hunger. Many Group Study Exchange teams have left Durban as ambassadors of the Province and Country and have fostered international links with individuals and groups in other countries. Rotary Clubs in KwaZulu-Natal have contributed on an ongoing basis to the social upliftment of local communities. Visitors are welcome to attend meetings that take place on Thursdays at 7am at the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Victoria Embankment in Durban.

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Media release issued on behalf of Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana by Louise Beghin

Chris Wilkinson President Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana Durban District 9270 South Africa Cell: 083 777 1245 Email: cwilkin@iafrica.com Website: Click to Open Web Page