Church Brings Wheelchairs and Other Mobility Aids to Vanuatu

A container of 500 mobility devices arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu recently, donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Vanuatu Society for People with Disabilities (VSPD).

The shipment included wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches, and will be distributed across the country to individuals in need.

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“These devices are not just for VSPD members,” VSPD Executive Director Ellison Bovu, said. “They are for anyone—whether referred from Vila Central Hospital Northern Provincial Hospital or elsewhere—who requires them to improve their quality of life.” 

The Church of Jesus Christ places a strong emphasis on humanitarian service, viewing it as a core tenet of their faith and a way to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

The Church committed to provide hundreds of mobility aids and related training support to VSPD. The devices will be shipped in two batches and will be distributed to the provinces upon request.

“We do assessments to ensure the device fits properly,” Bovu explained. “It’s like clothing—you need the right size. A poorly fitted device can do more harm than good.”

He added that while the assessment process may take up to two weeks, urgent cases can be prioritized. Follow-ups with recipients will ensure the devices remain in good condition and continue to meet their needs.

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Bovu thanked the Church for its continued support which began in 2015 after Cyclone Pam. The recent container represented a shared commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities across Vanuatu.

The Church of Jesus Christ values its relationships with the community of Port Villa. The Church’s goal is to lift lives and unify all of God’s children.

Please read the Port Vila Post for more on this story.