This week in Tonga volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints trained 19 people to assist patients with mobility challenges.
Training on how to assess a person’s mobility needs as well as how to assemble and use wheelchairs was provided to medical professionals, care-givers and others from Tongatapu, Vava’u and Ha’apai.
The training follows a donation from the Church of 540 wheelchairs and 300 other mobility aids to the people of Tonga.
Senior Latter-day Saint leader in Tonga, Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu, presented a second instalment of 270 wheelchairs to representatives from Tonga’s Ministry of Health on Friday, 29 November. Last year the first shipment of 270 wheelchairs as well as 300 mobility aids were donated by the Church to the people of Tonga.
LDS Charities, a humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brought mobility experts to Tonga this month to provide the training.
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The three-day training seminar was conducted by Dr. Stephen Spencer, Dr. Andy Schnebley, Mrs Roylene Schnebley and 12 other experts.
Those who attended the seminar, now certified assessors and technicians, will serve patients with mobility challenges throughout Tonga.
“With the number of people needing wheelchairs in Tonga, the chairs will be a great blessing to the people of the islands,” Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu said.
The donation of wheelchairs and mobility aids was made possible by members and volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read more at Radio New Zealand.
Watch a video about why Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as “Mormons”) participate in humanitarian efforts.