Smiles were all round at the Boon Choo Centre in Bang Chang when Nung was presented with his new wheelchair. A collaborative funding effort between Women With a Mission, Pattaya International Ladies Club, and TFi enabled a specialized wheelchair to be purchased in the US to give a wonderful young man independence.
Nung was first brought to the attention of WWM 3 ฝ years ago. He did not have a wheelchair, and his only method of transport was by dragging himself along the floor. Volunteers Rosanne Diamente and Laurie Bastian worked to strengthen his core and increase his leg flexibility with physical therapy, and then organized a second hand wheelchair from the Father Ray Foundation. Now, at 15, he is the proud owner of a new chair, which caters for his particular needs, and will see him into adulthood. The chair has been given to him personally, to empower him to become independent both at home and at the centre.
Women With a Mission have been helping at the centre, co-coordinating training sessions for the carers along with weekly one-on-one therapy sessions with specific students. But partnerships are needed to fund the larger projects, and thanks to the generosity of both TFi and PILC the new chair was organized.
TFi started out with 5 blokes working to improve the lives of the poor and disadvantaged in the local community. They deliver food parcels, assist local groups with essential needs and work with various Rotary Clubs to install water filters in the slum areas, and assist with education.
PILC is an established women’s club that has an extensive record for assistance to the local community. Their collaborations with WWM extends not just to helping to fund the wheelchair, but to also fund a salary at the centre.
