Indonesia is one of the poorest and most disaster prone countries in the world with tsunamis, earthquakes, and 155 volcanoes – like the Merapi volcano that swept away the village of Cangkringan last fall. According to the World Health Organization, there are 6.4 million children with disabilities in Indonesia and at least as many adults. Even though there are many schools, most kids who need a wheelchair don’t attend. Severe poverty makes a good quality wheelchair impossibly expensive. For growing kids, this means education ends early when they become too heavy for parents to carry.
In the last year, UCP Wheels for Humanity, a Whirlwind partner, has trained
Sabdo out on the road to school. a small army of therapists in Yogjakarta to custom fit each wheelchair and provide all the necessary follow-up services to each recipient. Good service and better quality chairs has made a big difference. Now riders can participate in social and economic life, mothers can make it to the store and kids can make it to school.
A rugged wheelchair and individual care can be provided for under $300, a fraction of US healthcare costs.
You can help change a life! For 200 wheelchair riders in Indonesia, your donation to Whirlwind Wheelchair will make a life-changing difference and open a completely new future. Your generous donation will change children’s lives. Your donation will help many more than just these 200 people because it will pay for tools and equipment needed to put our wheelchair into large scale production. The result will be high quality, low cost wheelchairs that will be available for thousands of riders every year. This is more than a one time donation opportunity, you are making an investment in the future. Can you send your donation today?
Resources for Whirlwind Advocates:
– Fundraising Appeal Letter – it is ready for Advocates to print or email to friends
– Additional Information – project budget summary and additional stories about wheelchair riders.