In its endeavour to put smiles on the faces of previously disadvantaged people in Kimberley, Mekayla Helping Hand non-profit company reached out and donated wheelchairs to two city residents.
IN ITS ENDEAVOUR to put smiles on the faces of previously disadvantaged people in Kimberley, Mekayla Helping Hand non-profit company (NPC) recently reached out and donated wheelchairs to two city residents.
The two beneficiaries – 18-year-old Mohamed Ameen Hassin and Jade Minnies – were identified by the founder of the NPC, Mona Mohammed, in her community.
Mohammed explained that both beneficiaries were struggling with faulty wheelchairs.
She expressed deep empathy for Minnies, who is often seen sitting in a dilapidated and tattered wheelchair, facing immense challenges while trying to navigate.
After enquiring, she discovered that Minnies had been on the hospital’s extensive waiting list, eagerly awaiting a wheelchair
Hassin was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a dislocated hip.
His mother, Zurayda, explained that he had been discharged from the Kimberley hospital after receiving paediatric therapy and that they were still in the process of familiarising themselves with the new programme at his local clinic.
She said he has outgrown the wheelchair he received from Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital “years back”.
“He used to be allocated a new wheelchair at least every two years, but now he does not even have access to therapy any more since he was discharged,” she said.
Mohammed said she had noticed the pair’s plight and was determined to do something about it.
She said: “It was sad to see the two beneficiaries suffering to get access to decent wheelchairs. I could see that both families could not do much to change this situation due to their backgrounds.
“Jade is always happy, but hanging out of his wheelchair, as he happily waves at people passing by his home.”
She explained that Hassin had outgrown his wheelchair, making it difficult to sit in it comfortably.
“We therefore tried to approach the hospital and enquired how the process works. It was shocking to learn that the hospital waiting list dates back up to three years.
“We therefore approached different sponsors, including the National Lottery fund, to ask for assistance.
“We got these two wheelchairs from private sponsors.”
Mohammed added that Mekayla Helping Hand is growing from strength to strength and this was the second and third wheelchair donations in Kimberley as part of their ongoing programmes.
They donated another wheelchair to Kagisho Oliphant and hosted a Christmas party at Helen Bishop Home for the disabled in Kimberley in 2023.
