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LDS Charities Distributes 500 Wheelchairs in Nigeria

LDS Charities, a humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently distributed 500 wheelchairs, 80 crutches and 100 walkers to people with disabilities in Nigeria.

Nigeria has thousands of disabled individuals, both children and adults, who cannot afford the cost of a wheelchair and spend their lives crawling on the ground. They are socially outcast and forced to beg because no one will employ them.

In order to broaden its reach as much as possible, the Church partnered with several Nigerian government ministries, agencies and hospitals. This partnership also ensured that the wheelchairs, crutches and walkers were delivered to the intended recipients at no cost. The recipients were selected without regard to age, tribe or religion.

The partnering Nigerian organizations include: Lagos State Ministry of Health, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, National Orthopedic Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Lepers Colony, Jericho Specialist Hospital and the Redeemed Christian Church.

LDS Charities was established by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1996 to enhance Church involvement in relief and development activities throughout the world. The Church sponsors five ongoing global projects to help people become more self-reliant: neonatal resuscitation training, clean water projects, wheelchair distribution, vision treatment and measles vaccinations. These projects are funded by donations from Church members and others. 

 

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.