HOW DID WE BEGIN?
At the end of the
initial trip, we
wondered how to develop a viable charity program.
A local Vietnamese man requested a visit. He also was a
wheelchair person and could relate to life issues of the
disabled. In the fragile frame of his twisted body, we found a
very big heart and superior knowledge to be the right choice for
our program coordinator. Mr. Hanh is truly a God-sent blessing
to Eye Wheel Help .
Back in Canada, rain had damaged our roof. A roofer offered
help, not only fixing it for free but assisting us in next trip
to Vietnam. His assistance enabled us to buy locally 30 brand
new wheelchairs and 30 eye surgeries in the following year 2008.
The first
wheelchair at the leper village. Mr. Hanh and the roofer (2007)
Then
a lovely pharmacy couple donated a container of refurbished
wheelchairs. From 8 wheelchairs in 2007 to 380 wheelchairs in
2008, what a marvelous increase
The pharmacists and
the 380 wheelchairs (2008)
Then in 2009, while we already made a promise to deliver
these life changing gifts, the infamous economic collapse
struck. Many were unemployed. In faith we held a fundraising
dinner. Of some 50 guests we raised $8,000 which provided
100 wheelchairs and 50 eye surgeries!
The gifts were not just sacrificial, but also creative; A
teenager emptied her piggy bank, a woman organized 50/50
raffle among her friends, one IT person donated thirteen
laptops, which were exchanged for wheelchairs. Others
committed 1/10 of income to help the cause and a
businessman, who donated not just money, but plane tickets
through air miles. Such a great community effort.
“Eye Wheel Help” effectively
connects donors, volunteers and patients in human kindness and
God’s love.
