Elder Gong Visits Paraguay to Celebrate Donations of 10,000 Wheelchairs
At the forefront of inclusion and accessibility projects.
Over the past 13 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in its commitment to promoting a more equal world, has donated approximately 10,000 wheelchairs to the Solidarity Foundation in Paraguay.
A milestone that coincided with the ministering visit of Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to the South American country, where—in addition to meeting with President Santiago Pena—he also visited the beneficiary foundation with his wife, Susan.
At this significant meeting, Elder Gong met with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Oscar Mersan, and other leaders of the foundation. At the meeting, they celebrated the joint efforts of both organizations to improve the quality of life of people with reduced mobility.
Designs for specific needs
Additionally, the Solidarity Foundation received 1,576 wheelchairs and 330 assistive devices donated by the Church. These resources include models adapted to specific needs, such as posture chairs for children with cerebral palsy and mobility aids such as canes and walkers.
During the event, 17 wheelchairs were also delivered to beneficiaries in Asunción, including 2 specially designed for children with cerebral palsy.
This donation is part of 42 dissemination events scheduled over the next two years throughout the country, financed in collaboration with Itaipú Binacional, an energy company that supports the sustainable development of communities.
Impact and sustainability of the project
The Church’s accessibility efforts date back to 2011. Since that year, the Solidarity Foundation, in collaboration with the Latter-day Saints, has distributed 10,000 wheelchairs in Paraguay.
This strategic collaboration has improved the mobility and autonomy of thousands of people and has promoted the development of specialized evaluation and prescription teams.
The recent donation will enhance the foundation’s capabilities by allowing the creation of an additional team based in Asunción. It will also ensure the continuity of the program until 2025 and help reduce the waiting list of more than 800 people who need a wheelchair or assistive device.
In this way, the Church ratifies its efforts to serve and minister to others, just as our Savior taught.
To read more at Masfe.org.
