Extending Mobility and Hope to Disabled Georgians

Arlington, VA, June 25, 2009 --(PR.com)-- US-government sponsored Counterpart International's Community & Humanitarian Assistance Program (CHAP) and CHAP’s partner organization Charitable Fund “Ertguleba” arranged a joint charitable ceremony in Vake Park of Tbilisi, which was dedicated to distribution of new wheelchairs donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and handing-over of humanitarian commodities to vulnerable disabled people. Seventy-nine disabled recipients received their wheelchairs at the ceremony.

Corporate donors: Wine-Producing Company “Teliani Valley”, Vake Meat-Packing Plant, and othercompanies, as well as, US Department of State Grantees based in Georgia – UMCOR, IRD, HelleniCare andACTS provided support to needy recipients with different kinds of assistance, among them: blankets, hygiene and school kits, and the products produced by Teliani Valley and Vake Meat Plant. Public wheelchair distribution and assistance handing-over ceremony was organized in close cooperation with “33-A Club,” Vake Park. The representatives of US Embassy, donor organizations, US DoS Grantees, local NGOs and other guests participated in the event, which ended with a short concert given by disabled children and singers from children’s project. The event has been highlighted by journalists of Georgian TV Channels Rustavi2 and Alania, and Abkhazian Radio.

Till present Counterpart assisted about 1,750 people with mobility problems in Georgia with the single most desirable item – a wheelchair that released them from being isolated returned hope for future and aspiration to live long. Counterpart distributed among the handicapped people different types and sizes of brand new wheelchairs valued at over $100,000 thousand that were primarily donated by the LDS and Wheelchair Foundation (USA). This time, 250 new wheelchairs have been donated to Georgia by LDS Charities.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides humanitarian assistance to all nationalities and religions by relieving suffering and helping people help themselves. This help is made possible by the generous donations of material resources, funds, and volunteer service. Over 100 million tons of goods have been provided to 154 countries since 1985. LDS Charities has great share in providing support with different commodities: wheelchairs, hygiene, school and newborn kits, household equipment and supplies. Since starting cooperation with Counterpart this organization imported and distributed in Georgia humanitarian assistance valued at over $11 million.

CHAP has been operating in Georgia since 1995. From its commencement until present, the program has assisted about 2,5 million needy Georgians. Through its network of 960 partner organizations, CHAP imported and distributed humanitarian assistance to Georgia valued at over $150 million. For 44 years, Counterpart International has given people a voice in their own future through smart partnerships, offering options and access to tools for sustained social, economic and environmental development.

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