Lives transformed in Rwanda
A Wheels for the World team distributed lifechanging mobility aids in Rwanda to disabled people who don ’ t have the money or opportunity to buy one . Volunteer therapist , Jill Jenkinson , shares about the mission trip ...
Therapist Jill with overjoyed Appoffie .
“ Time was of an essence and God ’ s timing was perfect . We arrived to find the container still locked on a lorry . By late afternoon the Customs Agent had inspected the contents , and the team had sorted everything ready for distribution next morning to change the lives of people like Appoffie …
Appoffie had polio and crawled until given a wheelchair in 2004 , which is now unusable . She crawls or is carried while looking after 3 grandchildren . They live ‘ hand to mouth ’ relying on the goodness of neighbours as they beg for food . I was so pleased to have assessed and fitted her with a wheelchair for her needs . Appoffie is a basket weaver and with her newly found independence plans to set up a small business .
It was a memorable surprise to witness Appoffie , seen only the day before , in church on Sunday ! Unable to attend church for such a long time , the wheelchair we provided enabled her to visit at the first opportunity . She glowed with happiness and attended the entire service - even joining her old choir to sing her heart out . What joy !
Emmanuel , disabled by a landmine .
Rwanda is a beautiful country with lovely people proudly rebuilding their infrastructure following the genocide horrors . Partners , FHR , work with disabled and marginalised people within Eastern Province . Our distribution helped raise the profile of disability and the great work FHR are doing . The equipment we provide is extremely scarce … one man told us that the wheelchair he ’ d received would cost ten years ’ wages !
Pastor Dominque , our main contact , held a Roofbreaker Conference last year , so we saw local people who ’ d been identified and assessed by FHR . Their volunteers were organised , thoughtful and keen to learn more about disability whilst interpreting and caring for recipients . The pastoral team shared God ’ s love with beneficiaries who received Bibles in their own language . We heard harrowing stories , but each of the 203 recipients who received mobility aids , like Emmanuel , can now look forward to more positive futures …
Emmanuel was herding cattle when he stepped on a landmine blowing off both feet and killing two cows . He lay alone in the field until found by neighbours who took him to hospital where he spent 6 months .
He has been without a wheelchair for 3 years , so his friends daily carry him to a kiosk where he sells mobile data cards . Now he ’ s thrilled to have the independence to push himself to work , restoring his dignity and selfworth - freedom indeed !
The gift of a wheelchair or walking aid and a Bible is truly life transforming !”
Vital Link Winter 2024 | www . throughtheroof . org