Wheelchairs for Kids

On September 16, 2008, 15 wheelchairs were delivered to the Australian Doctors for Africa (ADFA) in Perth to be shipped to the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Black Lion Hospital is the largest in this city of 3.6 million people. Australian Doctors for Africa (ADFA) provide volunteer doctors and nurses to areas of need in Ethiopia, Somalia and Madagascar.

Medical care for disabled people in Ethiopia is poor but perhaps a greater challenge is the social stigma associated with having a disability. Often it is perceived as a curse from God and this creates a huge barrier to being an accepted and participating member of the community. Very few disabled children have access to school and many become prisoners in their own homes, locked away by their parents.

Wheelchairs for Kids is proud to be able to assist these children in Ethiopia in association with ADFA.