December 2001

Here are some highlights of recent accomplishments:

We made a truly intense trip to Luanda, Angola. Most significantly from my perspective is the tremendous need for wheelchairs. Whereas in India we drove miles to place wheelchairs, in Luanda crippled humans crawled miles to reach us. I cannot put into words the tremendous emotions we encountered in giving away wheelchairs as Christmas presents to just some of the thousands of poor crippled people in that country.

We placed about 30 wheelchairs, and only one patient had a physical condition that my colleague Dr. Mike Bayer felt precluded him from receiving one.

The wheelchair design was perfect. No one needed cushions, instructions, brakes, or anything else. We could see nothing in the design that needed modification.

Also travelling with me in Angola was Mr. Glen Owen. Glen is a photojournalist. He recorded 6 hours of video. I pray we will find a means to get all that edited into a film documentary.

Another major accomplishment is that we feel comfortable that we established what could be a major distribution channel for Angola. We trained about 15 volunteers on how to assemble the wheelchair kits. Mr. Jose Neto (National Director of Radio Trans Mundial - Angola) would like to receive a full container from us if we can work out the details.

The Chinese factory sent a sample wheelchair. They have it down now, and the design is perfect! I will proceed with the first container. I plan to inspect the factory during the third week in January, and watch them load our first container.

I received an email message from Dr. Colleen Redit of the CMCT in Chennai, India. We shipped her wheelchairs back in April, the same time we shipped them to Angola. Her Social Staff workers have mastered the assembly, and they distribute wheelchairs as they identify a need. They are able to do this completely on their own. We received our provisional 501 (c) (3) ruling from the IRS. This opens the doors for future grant applications.

This is a wonderful way to close out the year. Together, we gave close to one hundred humans a gift that they had no hope of ever receiving. And they gave us a gift too, the gift of knowing that our design, our plan, our mission, and our vision is valid. What a fantastic Christmas gift! I am so inspired to continue following this path God placed before me, and with your continued support we will help thousands more next year!

God bless,

Don Schoendorfer
President , Free Wheelchair Missions 12/31/01