0ctober 2001
And I thought August was a busy month. Here it is October
7 and I just found the time to make the newsletter.
- We settled on a footrest design. It is a simple wrap-around
bar and it mounts to the front legs. We will include a two inch wide
belt that spans the footrest, and will help support short feet. I have
to thank Mr. David March of Newport Beach for the design. He is a very
talented man!
- 43 wheelchairs arrived in Angola. I plan to be there
in the first week of December to help them assemble and distribute
these wheelchairs. Bright Hope International shipped these wheelchairs
for us. They want to give these wheelchairs away as Christmas presents.
Angola has the highest per capita population of amputees in the world,
from all the land mines.
- Can you imagine the joy we will bring to 43 people now
living on the ground! Ours will be a Christmas gift of mobility and
humanity to those who have given up hope long ago. Stay tuned, as I
plan to take many photos and I will share them with you. Many of you
donated funds to make this project possible.
- 43 wheelchairs are in transit to Chennai, to the Christian
Mission Charitable Trust. I have no estimate on when they will clear
Indian customs. That depends on so many things over which we have no
control, just a lot of faith.
- The four wheelchairs I placed in Chennai are still in
service, strengthening our conviction that the design is rugged.
- We have had two board meetings so far. Our main challenge
now is to expand the board with individuals who share our vision and
with the experience to help reach our goal.
- I plan to begin contacting foundations that give grants
to start-up charitable organizations like the Free Wheelchair Mission.
I have made great contacts with a number of international organizations
that ship medical supplies to developing countries. I hope to partner
with these organizations, and with the support of foundations ship
a number of full containers directly from Hong Kong to distribution
points in China, India and Africa.
Until next time, keep us in your thoughts and prayers as
we provide wheelchairs to the poorest of the poor around the world.
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