(January 14, 2011 - by Harold Goerzen) One of the saddest legacies of Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake is the thousands of people left crippled who can't get around because they lack a wheelchair. To help address this problem, HCJB Global-Sweden has purchased 180 sturdy wheelchairs for Haitians injured in the quake.

"The situation for a person without legs or lamed is terrible," said S. Samuelsson of HCJB Global-Sweden. "With a wheelchair the circumstances are totally different."

Almost immediately after the temblor struck, HCJB Global-Sweden began raising funds that have reached US$120,000 from local donors. "This is a great sum of money [for a small country like] Sweden," Samuelsson explained. "We had the opportunity to be the first agency in Sweden to help send an international medical team to Haiti just 72 hours after the earthquake hit. We got support from two denominations, many churches, second-hand stores and individuals."

Manufactured in Turkey by Kifas, the wheelchairs are expected to arrive in Haiti in mid-February. HCJB Global-UK also shared in the project, covering the transportation cost.

"We were so amazed at the response to our U.K. appeal to help those suffering in Haiti," said HCJB Global-UK Director Colin Lowther. "Our supporters continue to be very generous, so we are blessed to be able to cover the costs of transporting these high-tech wheelchairs to that needy country."

The wheelchair project, all part of the international healthcare outreach of HCJB Global Hands, became a reality as a result of Samuelsson's contact with some friends who work at the Turkish factory which produces orthopedic aid facilities.

The durable wheelchairs are built to be maneuverable and able to handle the rough sidewalk, street and road conditions in Haiti. They're also locally repairable, stable, comfortable and adjustable to fit any body size and meet the specific physical needs of individual users. For more information, visit http://kifas.com.tr/index.php?id=95&L=3.

The wheelchairs will be distributed with help from Handicap International and Christian Blind Mission. The units will go only to those who haven't had access to one since they were injured in the earthquake.

Samuelsson admits that providing 180 wheelchairs is just a "minor contribution" considering the many Haitians who are crippled. However, he said they will make a difference, helping people with their physical needs while opening doors to share the gospel.

"I think the spiritual impact in this project is the same as all our Global Hands projects have," he added. "If we want to be the voice and hands of Jesus, we have to take part in areas where we do have knowledge and can assist.

"But this is just the beginning," Samuelsson said. "Some 350,000 children in Haiti are homeless. Clean water is needed. A Swedish Red Cross worker told me the other day that there are so many obstacles on the way [for Haiti to become] a functional society."

Sources: HCJB Global, Kifas.com