We were invited to go with the Petersons, the Country LDSC directors, to this wheelchair handover from LDSC to the government of Cambodia. Representing the government is the the Minister of those who are Disabled. I'm not quite sure of the exact title. But this is a wonderful person. He is so kind, and of course, because he is disabled, he understands their needs. His name is Viasna. He told us about a family in the provinces that the local governor took over their land and farm saying they needed it to build on. The man went to this minister and filed a grievance. He looked into it and found that the governor had done nothing with the property and wasn't going to. It looked like he thought because they were disabled they couldn't fight for themselves. The owner of the property who filed the grievance has physical handicaps and his wife is also in a wheelchair. So the Minister reported this to the Prime Minister, Hun Sen. One day Hun Sen was up in that province, he went to the property and could see that there was no way that this property could be used for the province. He called the governor and told him that property should go back immediately to it's rightful owner. And that's what happened. That very day, the people got their property back. A good ending. The man in the blue who is talking was representing all those that received wheelchairs that day. They distributed 750. He was so overcome with emotion and appreciation that he could barely speak. This was his first wheelchair and he was overcome that he could now get around and be productive. Two of those in the above picture on the bottom left are from Battambang and are members receiving chairs for the first time.
Some faces of those who received the chairs. The one pictured with Scott had both legs blown off in a mine.
The wheelchairs were transported in a variety of ways. All creative use of other means of transportation!
This turn over took place at the center for the disabled. There is a store there manned and operated by people with one arm, disfigured hands, one leg, etc. They contract with various people to make things from here in Cambodia. The woman I am standing by is the owner of the store. She is wonderful. We bonded! The Petersons are next to her. Of course, Sister Peterson and I wanted to support the people, so accordingly bought a few things at the store. I will go there again. They are special people with great spirits that work there and their products are good. I will post a few things that I got there.
Sister Peterson is making sure that the wheelchairs go to where they are supposed to go.
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