November 27th, 2012 – Belize City, Belize – The Special Envoy for Women and Children along with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and CARE-Belize this morning donated 20 wheelchairs to physically challenged Belizeans and the Belize City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO).
Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow was present for the handing over along with Taiwanese Ambassador, H.E. David Wu and CARE-Belize Director, Evan Cowo. Four of the chairs went to children in Belize City, 10 to residents of Orange Walk and Corozal, 1 to a child from Cayo, while Councilor in charge of CEMO, Phillip Willoughby, received 5. The 20 wheelchairs are a part of 150 mobility aids, which were procured through the assistance of the Taiwanese Embassy.
The list includes: 5 Adaptable pediatric wheelchairs; 10 Personal energy transportation (PET) carts; 20 Adaptable Adult Wheelchairs; 50 Standard children chairs; 55 Adult Folding Wheelchairs; and 10 Table recliners.
Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow greeting a wheelchair recipient
The donation is timely as social organizations prepare to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, under the theme, “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.” The wheelchairs are valued at approximately $50,000 Belize and are being distributed through CARE-Belize.
Also at this morning’s ceremony, this took place at the construction grounds of the Inspiration Center, two organizations and an individual took the opportunity to make financial donations to the project. Mrs. Suzette Tillett, Human Resources Manager for Belize Telemedia Limited presented Mrs. Barrow with a cheque for $10,000 on behalf of BTL employees. The funds were the proceeds of fundraising by the staff, which was matched by the company. The Chinese Association of Belize made a donation of $5,000, which according to association chair, Mr. Edmund Kwan, were profits from the acrobatic show held in September. And making a personal donation of $2,000 was Mr. Alex Chang, Chairman of the Fen Lan Development Company.
Mrs. Barrow thanked Ambassador Wu and the Taiwanese government for their continuous support of the activities undertaken by the Special Envoy office as well as all those who have supported the Inspiration Center project, whether financially, technically or through moral support.
