Rotary Australia presents 166 wheelchairs to disabled Vietnamese children
Australian Ambassador Hugh Borrowman and Rotary International Extension Representative for Vietnam Mr Danny Low presented 166 wheelchairs for children to the Red Cross Societies and funds for children of Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Nghe An and Lao Cai provinces and Hanoi City today. The event is part of the Australian Government’s celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam.
The wheelchairs, valued at around AUD 21,580 were donated by Wheelchairs for Kids, a project of the Rotary Club of Scarborough in Western Australia. These wheelchairs will be given to underprivileged handicapped children. The Wheelchairs for Kids project is supported by Rotarians and volunteers. Rotary has expressed particular thanks to the Vietnamese Consul General Mr Duyen Le Viet in Perth, Western Australia for his support.
At the presentation ceremony in Binh Luc District, Ha Nam Province, the Ambassador said: “These wheelchairs will enhance the children’s mobility, ease their families’ burden and improve their quality of life. I am very happy to join Wheelchairs for Kids in this meaningful activity and really hope that the children who receive these wheelchairs will be able to go to school and participate more fully in community life. The donation reflects the warm and long-lasting relationship between Australia and Vietnam, and highlights the benefits of the people-to-people links between our two countries”.
Mr Nguyen Minh Toan, Chairman of the Ha Nam Red Cross Society said: “On behalf of the recipients, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Australian people and the Rotarians for this significant gift. Given the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam, I believe this special gift will further enhance the understanding and friendship between the people of our two countries”
Wheelchairs for Kids is based in Wangara, Western Australia. Rotary is a worldwide organisation providing humanitarian services and helping to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s global membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong to more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Australia’s Rotary Clubs undertake various charity and humanitarian activities in Vietnam. Since 2004, the Rotary Clubs have presented 1414 wheelchairs worth $105,000 to disabled people and hospitals in Vietnam.
For further information and photos of the handover please see: http://www.facebook.com/AustralianEmbassyVietnam and http://www.flickr.com/photos/australianembassyvietnam/ or contact Ms. Vu Binh Chau, Media Officer, Australian Embassy in Hanoi (phone: 04 3774 0216, mobile: 0166 561 0149, email: [email protected]).