Last year Newland's Rotary donated R5000 to help with funding for a wheelchair for Wilhelm. Wilhelm is 13 years old and lives in Fraserburg, in the Karoo. He has cerebral palsy and attends the local primary school. His wheelchair was old and not supporting his body properly. He also had limited access to school, because of the size of the buggy.
Thanks to Newland's Rotary and other donators we managed to buy a more appropriate and smaller wheelchair for Wilhelm. He loves his new chair and can now move around the school independently. In class he can sit in his new wheelchair at a table which was fixed for him. Wilhelm is very proud of his chair and loves to move around on his own.
The circumstances at Wilhelm’s house are not good as they are a needy family. He lives with his grandmother who cares for him. Newland's Rotary sent Wilhelm another R1500 earlier this year, thanks to donations from several individual Rotarians. We decided to cover the seats of his old and new chair to protect them for longer wear and to make the old chair 'new' again. Wilhelm loves the new look - especially the red!!
I also ordered a new school sweater for him as well as school trousers (as his was worn on the knees from crawling) and a new pair of shoes for winter.
Wilhelm and I are very thankful for the money Newlands Rotary sent "just because". It matters when you part with a little money to help a child in need. And today we want you to know where your money went. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping this boy. It is wonderful to work with people who care enough to reach out to others in need who cannot help themselves. Baie dankie dat julle uitreik tot in die Karoo. Mag goedheid en guns julle pad vul.
Regards, Danél Hoon (teacher at the school)