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The Mercy Association for the Physically Challenged has officially launched its operations with a community outreach event held at the forecourt of the Techiman Community Center.
The launch was marked by a generous donation of essential items to individuals living with disabilities and the presentation of two wheelchairs to persons with walking impairments.
During the event, every person with a disability in attendance received a bag of rice, a bottle of cooking oil, and a pack of soft drinks. The gesture was aimed at alleviating some of the daily challenges faced by the beneficiaries while reaffirming the association’s commitment to improving the welfare of people living with disabilities.
The Mercy Association received generous support from the Shepherd Rod Foundation, which donated two wheelchairs and contributed to the food items distributed at the event. The Foundation, known for supporting widows, orphans, and brilliant but underprivileged students with educational materials and basic needs, pledged its continued support to the association.
Dennis Adu Kwabena, Chief Executive Officer of the Shepherd Rod Foundation, reaffirmed the Foundation’s dedication to supporting impactful local initiatives such as Mercy Association’s.
“Our mission is to support the needy. We assist widows, orphans, and brilliant but underprivileged students by providing uniforms, school bags, books, and slippers.
“Today, we are here to support the Mercy Association for the Physically Challenged as they officially launch their association. We donated two wheelchairs and also contributed to the food items being distributed at this event. This will not be the last time the Shepherd Rod Foundation supports the Mercy Association. Our doors are always open to them. Whenever they call on us, we will be ready to respond and assist to the best of our ability.” He stated.
Mr. Kwaku Adjei, founder and leader of the Mercy Association for the Physically Challenged, shared the organization’s broader vision in a media interview: to empower its members both socially and economically. He stated that the association plans to construct a four-room facility for the production of both liquid and solid soaps. Mr. Adjei also revealed that the association has secured a vehicle to transport the products to market, helping to create a sustainable income stream to support its members.
“Today, we provided wheelchairs to two individuals with walking impairments. In addition, we gave each member of our association a bag of rice, a bottle of oil, and a pack of drinks.
“We have many plans aimed at improving the standard of living for people living with disabilities. Our main goal is to build at least a four-room facility where we can produce both liquid and solid soaps. We already have a car that can be used to transport the soaps from the production site to the market, and we believe this initiative will help us generate enough income to support our members and others in need.” He said.
He continued, “Among people living with disabilities, some are forced to beg on the streets, while others stay at home and rely on others for their daily needs. Through the production of soap and other activities we plan to undertake, it is our vision to empower these individuals and help them move away from a life of begging.
Touching on some of the challenges faced by the association, Mr. Kwaku Adjei revealed that their greatest obstacle is securing adequate funding to support their operations. He explained that, as a newly established organization, they are still in the process of building public trust and credibility.
Mr. Adjei further clarified that although a national association for persons with disabilities does exist, many individuals remain underserved. This, he noted, was the motivation behind the formation of the Mercy Association for the Physically Challenged to complement the efforts of the national body by reaching those who have been left behind.
“However, our biggest challenge is securing the funds to build the four-room facility. We are appealing to the general public to come to our aid.
“As a new and relatively unknown association, we often face doubts and skepticism. Sadly, when we send petitions to individuals and organizations seeking support, some people go behind our backs and claim we are not genuine or that we intend to scam others.
“While we recognize the existence of a mother association for people with disabilities, we also understand that many people are not benefiting from their support. That is why we formed our association—to complement the efforts of the mother association and reach those who have been left out.” He said.
Mr. Adjei expressed sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the successful launch and called on the general public, NGOs, philanthropists, and government agencies to support the association’s mission.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported today’s donation. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with disabilities. We appeal to everyone to support us when we knock on their doors.” He said.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.net
