Rotary Club of Brits
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5040 Wheelchairs to District 9250 |
This project was initiated as a result of discussions Elsje & Cliff Peake had with PDG Jon Grant of district 5150 USA and Ken Behring CEO of the Wheelchair Foundation during the Barcelona International Rotary convention.
After returning from the convention Elsje was determined to find a way of getting many, many more wheelchairs for our district.
The Rotarians and Disabled people of District 9250 are today reaping the fruits of Rotarians attending a Rotary International meeting and convention.
Jon Grant and the Peake's sorted out the details of the project during a visit by Jon & Linda to the Rotary Club of Brits and district 9250 during January of 2003 and plans were put in motion to try and get 18 containers, giving a total of 5040, wheelchairs donated to our District.
Jon was absolutely amazing: he managed to get sponsorship from 25 different Rotary clubs and districts in America and Canada with contributions ranging from US$1000.00 to $14375.00. As well as 26 individuals who contributed amounts from $75.00 to $5200.00. Ken Behring was by far our most generous sponsor; he personally contributed US$100,000.00 in cash toward the project. The Rotary Club of Brits very kindly contributed $2000.00 to cover a shortfall in the final funding equation.
The end result, after many frustrations, was that we had a project approved by The Rotary Foundation and The Wheelchair Foundation to provide the 5040 wheelchairs.
The total value of these wheelchairs amounted to US$ 777,600.00 and this was funded as follows:
Donations from Rotary Clubs and individuals in the USA , England and Canada |
|
$244,000.00 |
Rotary Club of Brits |
|
$2000.00 |
DDF contributions from various Districts |
|
$15,000.00 |
The Rotary Foundation |
|
$138,000.00 |
The Wheelchair Foundation |
|
$378,600.00 |
TOTAL |
|
$777,600.00 |
We are truly indebted to Jon & Linda Grant for the work they did in making the dream Elsje had become a reality.
Although the first of the funds from The Rotary Foundation were only received on 19 September 2004 . Jon had arranged an advance payment to the Wheelchair foundation and had already ordered the first containers during June 2004. The first three containers arrived during November and these went to Middleburg, Maputo and Swaziland . The balance arrived at regular intervals and was distributed throughout the district. The last to arrive during August 2005 went to Clubs in Botswana and Limpopo province.
Each of the 48 Clubs and every Rotarian in District 9250 participated. Giving every Rotarian the opportunity of experiencing the joy and excitement of giving a disabled person freedom and mobility for the first time in their lives.
A truly memorable and heart warming experience with many tears being shed through the joy of giving and through the gratitude of receiving but most of all because the reality and implications for those living with disabilities was brought home to many of us for the first time as we made contact with people who have had to crawl around in the dirt all of their lives.
For Elsje & Cliff, and I am sure for every one, it was a knot in the throat, tears rolling and joy all mixed up at the same time, people coming in kombis that had to be helped out and ones crawling on their elbows and knees full off calluses. Old and young, Babies with their mothers, getting their very own mobility for the first time was over whelming. The sight of a smiling face sitting in a "Ferrari Red" wheelchair is one that Rotarians will never forget.
Many of the things we just take for granted suddenly took on a new meaning because of this exposure to reality and these experiences.
During the second half of July 2005 we had a visit from a group of 19 people from The Wheelchair foundation visiting District 9250 to witness first hand not only the excitement of distributing wheelchairs but also to get an idea of the need for wheelchairs in our area. Included in the group was the CEO and founder of the Wheelchair Foundation Ken Behring as well as his son David who is President of the Wheelchair Foundation. PDG Jon and Linda Grant , PDG Ken and Susan Boyd as well as some of the sponsors of our project were also with us.
Making arrangements for the group was an exercise in itself but with the help of the Rotarians at the selected distribution points it all came together.
To read more about this exciting visit and see some of the wheelchairs having been handed over
One aspect that's so wonderful about this project is that our whole district participated. It was all our clubs working together like one team that really added to the success of this wonderful project. Another unique aspect of many of the distributions was the fact that our Rotarians went to great length and effort to get to the disabled who are usually forgotten because they are so far away. This is really demonstrating "Service above self". Getting to know and meet so many new people was also an added bonus for us.
We do not have words to truly express our gratitude firstly to Jon & Linda Grant for the sterling work they did, all the individuals, clubs and districts that provided funds. The Rotary Foundation for providing matching funds, Ken & David and The Wheelchair Foundation for Funding and running this wonderful program. And to the Rotarians of our district 9250, for the way in which you have all rallied to make the distribution process such a success. You are all Stars.
Thank you,
Cliff & Elsje Peake
(August 2005)
4 year old Nobuhle, from Swaziland, received the very first Wheelchair from this project on the 22nd of November 2004
A smiling child at Thumalong Brits gets her wheelchair
Wheelchair recipients in Maputo (11 December 2004)
All the Pretoria Centennial Presidents and AG's. All 8 of the Pretoria clubs worked as one team to distribute the wheelchairs during 2005 (Click here to see the coverage of RC Pretoria East's distribution of wheelchairs)
Bets Kotze of Spesbona, Rustenburg holding the banner with Elsje
A Gabarone group of happy wheelchair recipients (29 April 2005)
Abigail received her wheelchair from RC Francistown President Molly Smit (2005)
During the second half of July 2005 we had a visit from a group of 19 people from The Wheelchair Foundation visiting District 9250 to witness first hand not only the excitement of distributing wheelchairs but also to get an idea of the need for wheelchairs in our area. Included in the group was the CEO and founder of the Wheelchair Foundation Ken Behring as well as his son David who is President of the Wheelchair Foundation. PDG Jon and Linda Grant , PDG Ken and Susan Boyd as well as some of the sponsors of our project were also with us.
We met up with the group as their plane arrived in Maun , Botswana on the Sunday evening. Molly Smit of RC Francistown had arranged a distribution at a Catholic mission for lepers on Monday morning where 54 people aged between 5 and 102 years had been brought to receive their wheelchairs, there were many more for the dancing and singing to entertain the guests and then only after the necessary formalities with speeches etc. could the wheelchairs be handed out and photos taken. Every one was willing to Lend A Hand and were all soon busy unpacking and assembling wheelchairs, Selecting the correct size to suit the person and finally getting the photos taken of the recipient sitting it their own new “Ferrari”:
Some of the recipients at Thuso Rehabilitation centre in Maun, Botswana
One of our sponsors, Jimmy Harkey helping a young fellow into his new wheelchair while visiting Thuso in Maun
We flew to Lanseria and then by bus to Oukasie in Brits where RC Brits had arranged for around 55 wheelchairs to be handed out. This also went off well once all the formalities had been taken care of.
After lunch we travelled to Sun City and had a good sleep in Pilansberg. Next morning to Rustenburg, were we had a distribution with RC Rustenburg and a second with RC Rustenburg Kloof at an aids hospice. Back to Bakabung for a lovely dinner and well earned sleep. Waking up very early on Friday morning for the bus trip to Lanseria and flight to Nelspruit were Brain and Sybil Regan were waiting for us. The first wheelchair was handed over at the airport:
From left to right: PDG Cliff Peake, David Behring (President of The Wheelchair Foundation, two members of the Khanyamazane local council, AG Brian Regan of RC Whiteriver.
In the wheelchair: Buks Viljoen, President of the EX-Servicemen's paraplegic society (this photo was taken at the Nelspruit airport).
Off we went in safari vehicles to a village near Malalane to do another distribution which RC Nelspruit Jock had arranged, it took us quit a while to get to the hall where another 63 wheelchairs were handed out after the speeches and dancing, it was always Cliff and David Behring who had to do the talking on behalf of the American visitors and Rotary.
PDG Cliff with a happy lady at Malalane
Then it was time for a very welcome rest so off we went to the Kruger Park for two nights and days. As always Kruger is a lovely break, despite no lion, leopard or cheetah all had a wonderful time. The Rhino's, Elephant and other animals were very accommodating and photogenic. Am sure the good weather and wonderful company were the actual stars.
The Wheelchair foundation Group who visited District 9250
Our last distribution was in Swaziland we were tired after a long 5-hour bus ride we arrived at the hotel full of dust and very thirsty. We all rushed to our rooms had a lovely shower and ready for dinner.
Next morning a 3-hour drive took us to our next distribution, which was arranged by the districts newest club, RC Matsapa. Once again a wonderful experience and just ran out of wheelchairs because the disabled just kept coming and coming. The RC Matsapa undertook to be back the next day with more wheelchairs and this was of great comfort to those who were to late. In excess of 100 wheelchairs will be distributed in this village alone. A further 3 hour trip east on very corrugated roads brought us to the gathering place for the last distribution of the trip. Once again, as with all the previous ones a really moving experience.
David Behring of the Wheelchair foundation in discussion with the mother of a recipient in Swaziland
After the dusty trip back we attended a Rotary meeting hosted by the RC Manzini and were the guest of all the clubs of Swaziland .
Another lovely evening and finally the time came to say good-bye. The team flying back to USA and Cliff & Elsje for home in Brits.
Some of the 43 happy recipients, having just been given a new lease on life:
-----Original Message-----
From: Cliff & Elsje Peake [mailto:peak@mweb.co.za]
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 10:41 PM
To: Marlene F. Weibel (RC Fremont); Ed Marshall (RC Alameda); Larry
J Shaw (RC Foster City)
Cc: Katherine Moore (TRF); David Behring; Jon B. Grant
Subject: Wheelchairs for District 9250 South Africa
Dear Marlene, Ed and Larry,
Today Elsje & I attended the distribution of the last wheelchairs we had from our previous container and could not help thinking about you wonderful people.
It is only because of the support of people like you that we are able to provide some relief to the unfortunate disabled people in our part of the world.
We managed to provide wheelchairs for 43 people today and this was as mentioned the last we had.
Once again, as at all the distributions, there were mixed feelings and emotions. The heart-sore at seeing the plight of the desperate disabled people and then the expression of joy as they realise that the wheelchair they have been put in is theirs for them to keep. This is the part of the wheelchair program that makes one carry on and also take stock of the blessings we so easily take for granted. We just hope that some time in the future you will also be able to come to our country and experience the joy and excitement of being to able to make an, for all intense and purpose, abandoned person mobile for the first time in their lives. The saddest part is the fact that there are still so many out there who still have no wheelchairs and have to rely on others for their every move. There were 63 names on the list that we were handed this morning.
Luckily we have people in the world like you, who are prepared to help us make a difference to the lives of some of our disadvantaged disabled people.
Many thanks for your concern and donations and where applicable please thank your clubs on our behalf.
May you be truly blessed.
Cliff & Elsje
The Keith & Helen McCusker Foundation Project Trophy for the best Rotary Foundation project in the District was awarded to PDG Cliff and Elsje Peake, by DG Eben Brummer, at the Banquet of the Centennial District Conference 2005, for their involvement in and commitment to the very successful Wheelchair Project - CONGRATULATIONS on a great job well done!
The Wheelchair Project
