On Friday, March 14, 2014, at the WINGROEP facility in Nickerie, the U.S. Embassy Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) donated tools to Vereniging Van Rolstoelgebruikers (VRG). The tools included power tools and other equipment useful in repairing and building wheelchairs. VRG and WINGROEP will collaborate to bring awareness to the challenges that face the vulnerable, wheelchair-dependent population residing in Nieuw Nickerie.
Representatives from the WINGROEP (Niermalkoemer Badloe), VRG (Butch Agard), and the District Commissioner’s office (Fabio Perk) attended the event.
Across Suriname there are limited wheelchair access ramps and very few employment opportunities for wheelchair-dependent citizens. This donation from a non-governmental organization (NGO) in America provided the necessary start-up equipment required to establish a small business platform, which will begin to build wheelchairs for the Nieuw Nickerie community.
VRG and WINGROEP aim to create employment opportunities for wheelchair-dependent personnel at the WINGROEP facility. The donated space will also serve as a place where this population can relax and enjoy the company of other wheelchair-dependent citizens.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Ingrid Hill at HillIK@state.gov or 472-900 ext. 2290.
