Physical Health Haiti Project #5030

Provide All Terrain Wheelchairs in Haiti

by The Red Thread Promise

Project Report | Oct 19, 2011
The Gift of Mobility

By Sonya Yencer | Vice President, The Red Thread Promise

Wheelchair on its way to Nicaragua

As you read in our last report, The Red Thread Promise team traveled to Haiti this summer (2011) to deliver 100 new all terrain wheelchairs to St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Over the past weeks, we were able to put together a video about our wheelchairs, highlighting portions of the assembly and distribution. The video also shares a bit about our philosophy and why we provide assistance in Haiti.

During our next trip in January 2012, we will visit St. Vincent's and re-assess the wheelchairs after months of use. We feel that the follow up on these chairs is critical, to ensure that we providing the best possible care for these beautiful children and are doing our due diligence to you, our donors, who have made these gifts of mobility possible.

While we continue to raise funds to deliver additional wheelchairs to Haiti, we are excited to share that our first wheelchair has made it to Nicaragua! The Red Thread Promise partnered with a small non-profit from Oregon to provide Juan, a 42 year old man from El Lagartillo, Achuapa, with the same hearty wheelchair that we have sent to Haiti—one that could navigate the rugged dirt roads and paths. Juan spends his days in a wheelchair as a result of a congenital birth defect and had never received a new wheelchair until now. A single ATW was hand-carried from the states to Nicaragua by representatives from Partnership for Hope who have known and worked with Juan and his community for the past 25 years. We were thrilled to see the smile on his face and hope that this chair serves him well for years to come. For the full story, please visit our blog: http://redthreadpromise.blogspot.com/2011/10/first-atw-to-nicaragua.html

Thank you for your continued support!

Juan's old chair

Juan in his new all terrain wheelchair

Taking the ATW for a test drive

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Jul 18, 2011
Delivering 100 bright red wheelchairs!

By Sonya Yencer | Vice President, The Red Thread Promise

Wheelchair recipient

The Red Thread Promise team returned to Haiti June 30 - July 2, 2011 to deliver 100 bright red NEW All Terrain wheelchairs to St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children! With the assistance of three Haitian friends, Ronald, Beloge and Fedelin, the team organized the shipment in the storage space (located one block away from the National Palace) before assembly could begin.

The initial goal was to set up one of each of the four different size wheelchairs. Team members examined every facet of each chair for damage during shipping. They tightened the front casters, ensured that the wheels were “true” (straight), mounted the seat cushion and gave the entire wheelchair a thorough inspection before it received a “thumbs up”. The final action was to apply one of The Red Thread's stickers, honoring the those who donated toward the shipment.

In our best effort to practice responsible wheelchair provision, all recipients were brought to the courtyard at the school where the four different size wheelchairs were set up. Unlike many organizations, The Red Thread Promise does not believe in a “one size fits all” philosophy. The older children and young adults capable of making their own decisions were able to test multiple chairs to determine which one was the right fit and would best suit their individual needs. Ronald helped us select the proper size wheelchairs for the youngest children who were waiting for us in the dormitory.

As soon as each recipient was matched with the proper size, the team set out to the storage area to gather the appropriate chairs and wheel them back to St. Vincent's School. One by one, each person climbed into his or her new seat, some independently while others required assistance. A few were tentative, moving gingerly and slowly, testing out the brakes and the maneuverability of the mountain bike tires that are so different than the smooth hospital wheels they are accustomed to. Others were quickly trying to figure out how they could do tricks, pop wheelies and fly around the courtyard.

While their reactions varied greatly, audible thank you’s in Kreyol, English, French and sign language abounded.

We are happy to have provided these chairs to St. Vincent’s and look forward to returning on future visits to check how the chairs are serving the children. Because of your generous monetary donations we could also provide enough replacement parts and tools for months to come. Thank you again for your continued support of The Red Thread Promise.

For additional information about the wheelchairs and The Red Thread Promise's work in Haiti, China and the United States, please visit our website at www.redthreadpromise.org.

Wheelchair assembly

Completed chair with donor label

Four different sized chairs

Student receiving a new wheelchair

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Apr 18, 2011
Wheelchairs are making a difference!

By Sonja Beals Iribarren | Board Member, The Red Thread Promise

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