Mission Partner: Through the Roof (Wheels for the World)
The location for our first, post-lockdown Wheels trip was Kumi, Uganda, Feb 2022, partnering with the Kumi Community Foundation (KCF). The team from the UK were accompanied by Pastor Davis from Kenya and supplemented by some KCF workers.
KCF set up a marquee behind the Anglican Church for clients to shelter out of the hot sunshine. We expected 30 people on the first day, but word got out and over 100 people turned up. It was heart-breaking to have to turn people away.
Our team were able to help change the lives of many people, including the man paralysed following an incident with a bull. He cried when given a wheelchair which would transform his life. Little 7 year-old, Precious, who has cerebral palsy and no language, gave Dave a ‘High Five’ and a thumbs up when he’d finished adapting her new wheelchair.
One advantage of working with KCF is that they refer people who are unwell for treatment in the hospital and pay the cost. This was the case with Paul, aged 15, whose body was badly deformed and burning up with a fever. We asked his mother to take him to the hospital as we suspected he might have malaria. The following day he returned to the distribution, desperate to receive a wheelchair. We also gave advice on sleeping positions to aid his posture and prevent further deformities and hope this equipment will help him reach school more easily.
By the final day all the wheelchairs and dozens of other mobility aids had gone. Bibles were received by those who wanted them, and many people gave their lives to Jesus, or willingly accepted prayer, including a Muslim man. In this part of Africa they live in hardship and have little of what we would consider necessities. It is humbling and a privilege to serve them and see the smiles on the faces as we make a difference to their lives. Thank you for your support to help people like Precious.
Lent Wheelchairs. It’s not too late to sponsor a wheelchair for Lent. Sponsorship forms are available here or contact Karen Goodridge.
TTR is 25. 2022 is the 25th anniversary of Through the Roof! We plan to celebrate online and onsite later this year. Visit throughtheroof.org for more information.
We acknowledge God in all that we do to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Please pray for the next Wheels trip in June, for Annette, our new
team-member and for plans for the 25th Anniversary.
Tim Wood, CEO