About 550 wheelchairs were distributed in Morocco.

MOROCCO – Slimane Benadri had not been able to leave his home in three years.

The 70-year-old was unable to enjoy some of the things he loved most such as sitting in the sunshine or going to temple.

“I can walk a little with help,” Slimane said. “But I can’t go far.”

Recently when Slimane tried to walk, he fell and hit his head. To repair the cut, he had to get several stitches just above his eyebrow.

Thanks to a donation from Free Wheelchair Mission, a faith-based nonprofit organization in California that provides wheelchairs for the physically-disabled in developing countries, Slimane is now able to get out of his house.

Free Wheelchair Mission contacted Operation Blessing to help coordinate the effort to ship the chairs to Morrocco. Together with Gateway Medical Alliance, a humanitarian medical relief and development program for Morocco, 550 wheelchairs were distributed to area residents.

Slimane was given his wheelchair and was overjoyed at his newfound freedom.

Loubna Ouhamad was given a wheelchair after her older sister carried her on her back to the distribution center. The 16-year-old has cerebral palsy.

“I can go to the mosque now,” he said. “I can get sunshine and warm up my old legs.”

Loubna Ouhamad also got a wheelchair during the distribution. The 16-year-old has cerebral palsy and is confined to her home unless her family members carry her out.Her older sister carried her on her back to the distribution site so she could get a new wheelchair.

Previously, Loubna had her own wheelchair but it broke due to the rugged terrain surrounding her village.

Louban was delighted when she sat in her new wheelchair for the first time.

In 2007, OBI helped distribute more than 1,300 wheelchairs to people in need around the world.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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