Wheelchair Donation by Rotary International

From 2-14 July 2006, the Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited Eastern Region (RAWCS), Sydney, led by Mr Danny Low, is going to donate and distribute 252 wheelchairs in Vietnam. Cho Ray Hospital, residents in An Giang Province and residents in various provinces around Ho Chi Minh City receives 126 wheelchairs, while a further 126 wheelchairs are donated to ASVHO (Association for Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans, Hanoi) for distributions to hospitals and individuals in Hanoi.

 

 This Rotary International service project in donation of wheelchairs started in October 2004 when RAWCS made its first donation of 126 wheelchairs to Cho Ray Hospital, Phu My Orphanage and directly to individuals in need in several provinces. Mr Danny Low, Past District Govermor of Rotary International says: “Through a gift of a wheelchair, you can change a person’s life, give hope, independence and help to free a family member as carer”. Mr Danny Low has received an award from the Australian Government and the Australian Health Minister, Hon Tony Abbot, for his service to promote and foster closer relationships between Vietnam and Australia.

The average unit cost of a wheelchair is USD$65 to USD$70 and the total donation for Vietnam amounts to USD$14,000. Donations have been received from the Australian general public; Australians of Vietnamese origin throughout Australia, Rotarians in the many Rotary Clubs and personal donations. “I’m very happy that through this project Rotary International has made it possible for Australians’ good will to reach those people in need in Viet Nam, for Australians of Vietnamese origin to have meaningful connections back to Vietnam and above all to help strengthen relationships between Austraila and Vietnam. This is a good example of the strong people-to-people links which are made possible not only through formal government efforts but also by different organisations and individuals,” said Mr Mal Skelly, Australian Consul-General.
Phan Dong