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This is the story of Sarjo Badjie and his new
wheelchair. Sarjo is a handicapped boy who
has just started upper basic school. His journey from his home to
the school is about 2Km along sandy country roads. He had to get
several people to push and pull him along with his old chair, as the
small front wheels kept getting stuck in the soft sand. After making some enquiries
about wheelchairs and his journey to school, Pippa decided that he
really needed something rather more suited to the sandy roads. So
Pippa visited the Foundation for the Disabled in Banjul and
discussed the problem with the Director, Gabriel, who is himself
disabled. He showed Pippa a different type of wheelchair, which is made in their
workshop and specially designed for the Gambian sand-tracks. The
cost of this wheelchair was just under £100, and this was covered by a
generous gift from Sarjo's sponsor. Sarjo is delighted with his new
wheelchair, which is so much easier to use on his journey to school,
though he can still get someone to help him over the really rough
patches if needed.
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Sarjo at home - his old
wheelchair does not work well on the sandy roads to school
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Mr Opesan Gabriel Kenny, Director of
the
Foundation for Disabled People |
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A wheelchair made at the Foundation for
the Disabled to cope with sand etc |
The new, made-to-measure
wheelchair in transit to Sarjo's home |
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Meeting Sarjo on his way
back from school |
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Sarjo needs some help
with steering at first.. |
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Sarjo and his new
wheelchair at home with Mum Everyone is delighted with
it, and a cushion has been found to make it more comfortable. A
free pump was provided by the Foundation for the Disabled, as Sarjo lives in a country area.
See also this
news item in
The
Point - an independent Gambian
daily newspaper. |
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