When I returned to Lighthouse a week later I took a photo of the kids and was given 2 big bags of teenager clothes for the children at the refuge we will be visiting in Ghana. Others have given me clothes to take too! Their interest and kindness is heartwarming. I'll have to be careful to keep my own clothes at a minimum as we're all trying to keep our luggage allowance to 15 Kilos each because the Team (of 10) will check in together and the group weight mustn't exceed 230Kilos. This will enable us to take the 2 heavy tool boxes necessary for adjusting the wheelchairs to fit each client and various other bits and pieces.
People at church have been very generous, slipping me cash or cheques to add to the WftW fund I have going on my Justgiving page. It often surprises me who gives - frequently it's people who haven't a great deal themselves but who recognise how well off we are in this country even so. My aim is to raise £1000 and it's 3/4 the way there - more if you count the Gift Aid, which is really pleasing.
All injections are done now. I was lucky not to have any side effects from the Yellow Fever jab 10 days ago. It was interesting with the malaria tablets. I took the Private Prescription to Boots and discovered they cost £2.85 a tablet! At 19 tablets needed, that soon mounts up! I was quietly advised to shop around. It turned out they were even more at my local chemist but I eventually found a good deal at Tesco's.
Sunday, 30 September 2007
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Countdown for Ghana Trip
A few months ago I signed up for a trip to Ghana with "Wheels for the World", which is a subgroup of Through the Roof (a Christian Charity for disabled people). The trip is from 10th -20th October 07 and its purpose is to distribute 160 wheelchairs to people in Ghana with severe mobility problems (eg someone who couldn't leave their home unless carried by friends.) I am funding myself and, since there are many expenses getting the wheelchairs in a "roadworthy" state, have also raised over £500 so far for WftW. If you would like to contribute please click on my Justgiving link - www.justgiving.com/christinegrew
I am part of a team of 10 which includes a leader and administrator, 5 OTs and Physios, 2 wheelchair technicians and a lady pastor. We will be based in Tema but hold wheelchair clinics in the capital, Accra, and a more rural location as well. Obviously, as we are helping those with mobility problems, we need to go to them! A Ghanaian lady, Ellen will be our guide and translator. She is also taking us to a children's refuge where children as young as 12 have been rescued from the streets and prostitution.
Two significant things happened this week as I commenced the one month countdown! Firstly I had most of my jabs - Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio and Hepatitus A /Typhoid. It's Yellow Fever next week!
Secondly, I was asked to give a talk about my trip to Lighthouse, a mid-week Youth group run by Holy Trinity Church for 12-14 year olds in our community, Knaphill; (see photo above.)I brought along 2 wheelchairs which are about to be sent to the repair workshop in Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight. I thought the teenagers might like to experience what it feels like to be in a wheelchair. How right I was! After a short talk during which they were very attentive, everybody had a "go" - either self-propelling or being pushed. Lots of screams assured me they were having fun! The chairs were used till going-home-time, the teenagers even playing Unihoc in them. During my talk I mentioned that Ellen would be taking us to visit the children's refuge and that we wanted to bring nearly new clothing for the teenagers there. Several spoke to me afterwards, saying they had some things they would like to give. I felt very encouraged by the interest shown for those less fortunate than ourselves.
I am part of a team of 10 which includes a leader and administrator, 5 OTs and Physios, 2 wheelchair technicians and a lady pastor. We will be based in Tema but hold wheelchair clinics in the capital, Accra, and a more rural location as well. Obviously, as we are helping those with mobility problems, we need to go to them! A Ghanaian lady, Ellen will be our guide and translator. She is also taking us to a children's refuge where children as young as 12 have been rescued from the streets and prostitution.
Two significant things happened this week as I commenced the one month countdown! Firstly I had most of my jabs - Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio and Hepatitus A /Typhoid. It's Yellow Fever next week!
Secondly, I was asked to give a talk about my trip to Lighthouse, a mid-week Youth group run by Holy Trinity Church for 12-14 year olds in our community, Knaphill; (see photo above.)I brought along 2 wheelchairs which are about to be sent to the repair workshop in Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight. I thought the teenagers might like to experience what it feels like to be in a wheelchair. How right I was! After a short talk during which they were very attentive, everybody had a "go" - either self-propelling or being pushed. Lots of screams assured me they were having fun! The chairs were used till going-home-time, the teenagers even playing Unihoc in them. During my talk I mentioned that Ellen would be taking us to visit the children's refuge and that we wanted to bring nearly new clothing for the teenagers there. Several spoke to me afterwards, saying they had some things they would like to give. I felt very encouraged by the interest shown for those less fortunate than ourselves.
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