The Chuuk hospital and Women’s Council receive wheelchairs donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 324 wheelchairs in Chuuk. The hospital will receive 162 of them and the remaining 162 will be donated to the Chuuk Women’s Council.

The wheelchairs donated are of varying sizes to help the needs of all recipients.  There was a donation ceremony held at the Chuuk Governor’s auditorium.  The Honorable Alexander R.Narruhn is the Governor of Chuuk.  He was unable to attend the ceremony so Kirisos Victus, Director of Marine Resources and the Acting Governor spoke to the audience saying: “On behalf of Governor Alexander Narruhn and Lieutenant Governor Mekeioshy Williams, I am happy to accept the gift of these wheelchairs.”  He expressed their appreciation to the Church for the donations given for those in need in Chuuk.  "These donations bring happiness to all of us. It is a gift that we do not have to pay.”  He encouraged the department of health services and administration to see that they are given to those who really need them. “These wheelchairs are needed on Chuuk.” 

Bosco Buliche, Director of healthcare services, said: “With these 324 wheelchairs donated today, it makes a total of 894 wheelchairs that the Church has donated to the people of Chuuk over the many years of partnership with them.  The wheelchairs are being used by the disabled in all the regions of Chuuk State and patients at the hospital.” The Church has also assisted them with canes and walkers as well. “We will be forever grateful for these.”   

Bill Davis, the Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this area, said that it is a pleasure to work with the hospital and the Chuuk Women’s Council in this donation.  He spoke about the Church’s belief in the two great commandments; the first is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.  He said: “When we show our love to Heavenly Father and we show our love to our neighbors, we look for ways to serve in the communities.  These wheelchairs are way we can serve others.  We find the needs and try to fill those needs.  This donation comes about because of faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They give up their time and their talents, they pay their tithes and offerings to the Church.  It is through those donations that these types of donations are possible on the islands.  We firmly believe in the people of Chuuk. We love the people of Chuuk. We support the people of Chuuk.  We want to be a good neighbor and follow what the Lord has taught us.  This is done at absolutely no charge to these organizations, and we hope that they will give these wheelchairs for no charge to the people they serve as well.”

Three of the wheelchair recipients attended the ceremony and all commented about their need for these wheelchairs.  One of the recipients said: “I cannot walk around because I just had part of my foot cut off so I cannot stand. I don’t have any means of getting my own chair.”  The wheelchair will help them all to be more independent. It is a blessing that they will enjoy during and after their recovery. 

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