Rotary Club of Harare Dawn donated its Golden Wheelchair, or the 15,000th wheelchair at an event held in Harare at the weekend. The milestone is the culmination of a partnership between Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland and PhysioNet and the Oak Foundation. Harare Dawn has benefited largely from the indefatigable work of Greg Pozzo, who is also the Charter President of the club. Gem Nation News (GNN) had an interview with the chairperson in the Public Image Committee at Harare Dawn, Ethni Suliali (ES) read he excerpts:
GNN: Tell us about the Golden wheelchair how were they sourced?
ES: This event, which marks the donation of the Golden Wheelchair, or the 15,000th wheelchair. This milestone is the culmination of a partnership between Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland and PhysioNet and the Oak Foundation. Harare Dawn has benefited largely from the indefatigable work of Greg Pozzo, who is also the Charter President of the club.
GNN: Who are the beneficiaries of the wheelchairs?
ES: The Rotary Club of Harare Dawn has endeavoured to identify deserving cases of people who are otherwise immobile and who have no access to wheelchairs. When the project started, the club targeted Rural hospitals and people living with disabilities in the rural areas. Over time, accident victims, stroke patients and people living with disabilities throughout Zimbabwe have been beneficiaries of the project.
GNN: Is this the first time Rotary club has donated wheelchairs?
ES: PhysioNet, who are the main drivers for the mobility project, were created in 2005 by Rotarian Peter Thompson from Knaresborough Rotary, North Yorkshire. The humanitarian organization shipped its first container in 2009. The Rotary Club of Harare Dawn has been distributing wheelchairs since 2015.
GNN: Which other projects have been supported by the rotary club of Harare?
ES: Harare Dawn, and Rotary International by extension, revolves around making lives better for people in our communities. Outside of the Wheelchair project, Harare Dawn has had a number of community based initiatives and projects that are running currently as well as from years past. Below are a few of the recent projects that the club has
- Dorothy Duncan Braille Library
- iPhones for the Blind
- Karanda Mission Hospital – Water Project (also the largest beneficiary of the wheelchair donations)
- Safety Sam –
- Pad Drive – providing sanitary wear to underprivileged girls
- Donations to various Children’s Homes and Orphanages
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