A special donation for children

The Women’s Zionist Organisation of South Africa (Wizo) has joined forces with Israeli NGO Wheelchairs of Hope to donate 50 child-sized wheelchairs.

The donation is aimed at children between five and nine years old who will receive colourful and ergonomically designed wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are lightweight and robust and can handle both urban and country terrains.

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The wheelchairs were developed by specialist Israeli doctors and engineers from the Alyn Hospital in Israel, the country’s leading pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation centre.

Tamar Lazarus of the Women’s Zionist Organisation of South Africa said, “We often take the ability to move in our home and community for granted – and with that, the ability to learn, interact with others and participate in family life.

“We are so pleased that we are able to assist, for now, 50 children with mobility impairments, and give them these wheelchairs to enable them to lead active and fulfilling lives.”

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Among the Johannesburg recipients are oncology wards 286 and 294 at the Charlotte Maxeke Pediatric Hospital, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and individual children and other organizations identified by Wizo.

Lazarus added, “We know that the receipt of these wheelchairs from Israel will have a truly lifelong impact on these kids, and their entire family unit will be transformed by the gift of the basic human right of mobility. Wizo truly believes in this project and considers this donation of 50 wheelchairs to be the first, hopefully with many more to come.”

Details: wizosa@ctjc.co.za