First Deliveries (by Russ Hanthorn)

The wheelchairs come in individual shipping boxes and are transported along with us in a delivery truck, 240 per container. Our team of Rotarians is moving from site to site in a small van. We are accompanied by Sandi and Alex, two clinical officers from the medical community of Malawi. Upon arrival at each location we unload the required number of boxes, attach the foot rests, and present the wheelchairs at an appropriate ceremony.

On this first day, we made deliveries to nine hospitals, one orphanage and one children's rehabilitation center. All of these facilities are in the vicinity of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. Approximately 150 wheelchairs were presented to both adults and children, as well as to rehabilitation wards in designated medical institutions. The recipients ranged in age from 6 to 68 years of age. The first wheelchair was presented to a 68 year old gentleman whose mobility, up until today, has been limited to moving about on his hands and knees. As can be seen from the pictures below, his quality of life has been significantly improved. The wheelchairs also benefit greatly the children. They will now mainstream into the public school system. This had not been the case up until now because of their inability to be mobile in the classroom environment.

Tomorrow, we are heading to the South-East towards the city of Blantyre. We will spend five days over there for more deliveries...