The wheelchair project was successfully implemented in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek California, The Rotary Club of Colombo West, Sri Lanka, The Rotary International (RI) Wheelchair Foundation and The Wheelchair Foundation of Danville, California. A strategic partnership with the Rotary Club of Colombo West enabled the successful planning and distribution of 240 wheelchairs throughout Sri Lanka. A ceremonial presentation was held on August 16, 2002 during RI President Bhichai Rattakul visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Sri Lankan Rotarians, visiting Rotarians from India, Rotarian N. Pathmanathan, Governor, RI District 3220 and Rotarian Chris Gnanakone, Chief Development Officer, of The One Sri Lanka Foundation (OSLF) in Walnut Creek California.
The recipients included children disabled by polio and people affected as a result of a nearly twenty-year war in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. This humanitarian project was able to deliver hope, mobility and a sense of personal dignity to 240 children and people affected by landmines, advancing age and disease.
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The distribution of wheel chairs was carried out on a needs basis to benefit people of all ethnic groups on an island-wide basis in different cities that included Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Matara, Colombo, Galle, North Central Province, and the North Western Province. landmine disabled soldiers; inmates of the Cancer Hospital and crippled inmates of the Victoria Home for the Incurables also received wheelchairs. The most heart warming experience was the handing over of wheel chairs to children and adults crippled from birth, totally immobile and confined to their beds to lead a life of helplessness and desolation.
The distribution of wheel chairs was efficiently planned and coordinated by Rotarian Past President Nihal Bogahalande, Director - Community Service of the Rotary Club of Colombo West. Mr. David Nelson, Director, USAID, Past District Governor Gemunu Gunatilleke, Past District Governor Gamini Edirisinghe representing the Rotary Club of Colombo West and Chris Gnanakone of the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek, California, addressed the diverse group of recipients of wheel chairs.
A group of 32 Rotarian families of the Rotary Club of Colombo West including 2 Past District Governors, PDG Gemunu Gunatilleke and PDG Gamini Edirisinghe, both of members of the Rotary Club of Colombo West, District 3220, Sri Lanka, visited the Jaffna District, located in the Northern Province and handed over 40 wheel chairs to children disabled by landmines, polio etc. in Kilinochchi, one of the areas worst affected by the conflict. These children were selected with the active assistance of the Rotary Club of Jaffna.
The efficient distribution of 240 wheel chairs was highly commended by the Wheel Chair Foundation. Strong links forged between the Rotary Club of Colombo West, Sri Lanka and the One Sri Lanka Foundation and The Wheelchair Foundation in California will continue to grow to promote international understanding and good will through humanitarian service. The second consignment of 240 Wheelchairs is scheduled to be delivered to Sri Lanka in April 2003. |
