Wheelchairs to Kwa Zulu Natal

FINAL REPORT FOR WHEELCHAIR PROJECT TO KWA ZULU NATAL

WHAT WAS DELIVERED

This involved the shipping of two sea containers. The new wheelchairs were sent in a 20ft container from the manufacturer in China and the second a 40ft container was sent from our warehouse in Exeter. The two containers were transported to a warehouse controlled by the Rotary club of Empangeni, in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. The co-ordinator was Wally Brook who has managed many deliveries to this area for us over the last 19 years.

The containers had the following items:

170 WHEELCHAIRS UN-ASSEMBLED

100 SECOND-HAND WHEELCHAIRS PLUS CUSHIONS AND SPARES

130 ZIMMERS, WALKERS AND ROLLATORS

200 PAIRS OF CRUTCHES

70 WALKING STICKS

46 COMMODES

2 HOSPITAL BEDS

175 ADDITIONAL ITEMS AND BOXES OF MEDICAL AND LEARNING ITEMS

On arrival of the new wheelchairs were assembled in Empangeni by local men under Rotary supervision before being collected by the designated recipient organisations.

THOSE INVOLVED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AND AREAS COVERED IN KWA ZULU NATAL

The distribution area from Empangeni extended to some 350 km’s. Which was a cost that the local Rotary clubs covered.

Empangeni received requests from clinics, care homes and village dignitaries over a vast part of Kwa Zula Natal plus the participation of following Rotary Clubs

Dundee,

Empangeni,

Eshowe,

Ladysmith

Mandini

Melmoth-Ulundi,

Mthunzi

Newcastle -Majuba

Nongoma

Richards Bay

The second-hand items were sorted and placed on display in the warehouse prior to the distribution. This is required as the shipping company only allows two hours for the emptying of the container and all items are distributed around the container and not in any logical order to optimise space.  The Rotary Clubs and care homes and clinics were allotted 8 new wheelchairs from the outset and these were adjusted as when any surplus was identified the second-hand items were not restricted as certain locations carried a higher need.

The distribution area from Empangeni extended to some 350 km’s. Which was a cost that the local Rotary clubs covered. All whhelchairs had this logo embroidered on them.

. Only a few second-hand items remain in the warehouse in Empangeni.