I read last week in the local media of the special and kind help of various individuals and organizations that had donated much needed hospital beds to the National Referral Hospital (NRH). I wrote immediately thanking the donors for their voluntary and much appreciated donations.
Today, I write with an appeal in the hope of reaching other kind hearted donors, whether individuals, those in business organizations, banks, companies, traders or those willing to reach out to persons with disabilities that have worked diligently, and still do, and have been fortunate to gain work in the local public service.
It is known that such persons are often handicapped to a degree by not having access to tools, equipment or accessories that could greatly benefit their work, personal comfort, access and adaptability in the work place.
I would request the Solomon Islands Government, in conjunction with the Association of Persons with Disabilities’, the UNDP and the Australian High Commission, to carry out a needs assessment of the special needs requirements of the persons with disabilities and to do everything possible to supply such needs that I feel sure will be identified.
I would like to mention one special need that I know of and one that is really desperately required by a registered blind lawyer working diligently under training in the public service. This deserving man needs a braille typewriter to facilitate his daily work.
Braille typewriters can be ordered and paid for online from Amazon and cost below US$3,000 on average and can be delivered usually within 30 days from the date of purchase.
I would like to appeal to anyone in the Solomon Islands, including the SIG, to please order and give the blind legal officer, the specialized typewriter he needs.
If you can help, please write me (nkhwazi2002@yahoo.com) or send me a message via the contact link on my website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com and I can then put you in touch.
I thank you all for taking time to consider the needs of PWD and I hope my appeal will bring the results I have outlined.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
