Mahvash and Jahangir Foundation in collaboration with US-based Walkabout Foundation working for the welfare of persons with disabilities and assisted by Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP) on Sunday distributed 300 specially customised wheelchairs among the flood affectees. The chairs were distributed here in a simple but dignified ceremony. To mark this occasion, Richard E Hoagland, Deputy Chief Mission-US Embassy Islamabad, Carolina Bunster, CEO-Walkabout Foundation and Ali J Siddiqui, CEO Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation, Ali Munir, a UK-based Pakistani investor and entrepreneur and many other notable were present on the occasion and spoke regarding the initiative. Speaking on the occasion, Richard H Hoagland appreciated the noble efforts of Walkabout Foundation, and other Pakistani NGOs. He also emphasised that they look forward to continue promoting such initiatives for the social development of the Pakistani Society as a whole.
Carolina Bunster, CEO Walkabout Foundation said: “A staggering 6 million people are living with paralysis in the United States, which is approximately 2 per cent of the population. This number translates to nearly 1 in 50 people, which means that everyone is ONE degree of separation away from paralysis. Additionally, there are 100 million people in the world that need a wheelchair but cannot afford one and up to 6 percent of the population of the most developing countries need a wheelchair but cannot afford one.
We have contributed in many countries. It is Walkabout first time in Pakistan, but these 300 wheelchairs, which are donated and delivers in conjunction with the Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiui Foundation, is part of larger project to collectively donate thousands of wheelchairs in next few years to come.”
