THE Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Felicity/Charlieville of Trinidad, recently distributed 25 wheelchairs to persons in the Berbice community. The presentation took place last Friday on the lawns of Republic Bank, New Amsterdam. This is the third occasion on which the Trinidad Club has partnered with the New Amsterdam Club in this exercise. So far, over 100 chairs have been distributed over the last three years.
The Rotary Club of Felicity/Charlieville has initiated this project since its charter four years ago, through a matching grant with the Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary International. The distribution is taking place throughout the Rotary District of 7030.
As part of its community outreach project, the New Amsterdam Rotary Club has created a register of persons in Berbice who are in need of wheelchairs and who cannot afford the cost of purchasing one.
These chairs are brand new and are distributed free of cost. The 25 wheelchairs will not satisfy the needs of all the persons in the register of the New Amsterdam Club, but it will go a far way in alleviating the suffering of at least 25 recipients.
As more wheelchairs become available over time, others in need will likely benefit. According to Mr. Diaram Deonarine, of Hampshire, on the Corentyne, a recipient, he fell from a six foot height in 1998 and became paralyzed. His wife has been lifting him physically to move him around their home. He is very happy to receive a wheelchair, as this will give some relief to his wife who takes care of him. He can now assist himself to move around their home.
Another recipient, Clement Azim, of Ankerville, Port Mourant, said he fell from his bicycle four years ago and suffered a spinal injury. Since then he is unable to move around without assistance from family members.  He is very thankful to the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam for giving him a wheelchair.
This was generally the sentiments expressed by all the persons who received wheelchairs. They were all very thankful to the Rotary Club.