PHWA

Physically Handicapped Welfare Association

Mauritius

In the past there used to be a Ladies Welfare Committee consisting of the Executive Committee members and volunteers who carried out home visits to the physically handicapped throughout the island, providing their own transport and petrol. They were responsible for most of the fundraising.

Donations in kind such as powdered milk, Ovaltine, blankets, warm clothes, bed linen etc. were distributed when the opportunity occurred. Over the years we have received donations from well-wishers; occasionally things like blankets,garden seeds etc. from the Council of Social Services as well as milk and flour from the Ministry of Health. The National Transport Corporation used to offer free bus passes for trainees capable of travelling by public transport.

Members pay an annual subscription fee of Rs 50 or a life membership of Rs 1000. The Government provides us with an Annual Grant-in-Aid, and a Flag Day is organised every year to meet the running costs of the Centre.

We always have a long list of people requiring wheelchairs, a few of which are given to us by other organisations and individuals but mostly they have to be purchased from our own funds. We also help bedridden people with wheelchairs and buggies, and we consider requests from hospitals, private individuals and other deserving organisations. Such requests are always in great demand but sadly we cannot help everyone due to a shortage of these items.

Our wish is to be able to help more individuals, in doing so we constantly need financial aid, transport facilities, and more trained staff. With outside help, we can achieve so much more towards bringing relief to the physically handicapped in Mauritius whose numbers are unfortunately increasing.

Several projects, such as our sewing machines, a solar water heater, domestic appliances, office equipment and furniture, our minibus, and the renovation of the garden, kitchen and Boutique could not have been realised without local and international funding by individuals, companies, funds and governments. We would like to thank all of our well-wishers for your kindness and generosity without which our job would be so much more difficult to do. The Managing Committee and members are extremely grateful to all of you for your help.