The Catholic Bishop of Shendam Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Philip Davou Dung has donated 15 wheelchairs to the physically challenged persons in the diocese to facilitate their mobility.
The Bishop while presenting the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries at the Divine Mercy Catholic Hospital Luuwokur Total Shendam said the gesture was to ameliorate the plight of the beneficiaries as part of Church’s work of charity and commitment to better the lives of the physically- challenged in the diocese and to give them a sense of belonging.
He appreciated the intercessory role of blessed Mother Mary as we celebrate her birthday and he advised the beneficiaries not to be discouraged by their physical challenges but be focused and determined to achieve their goals in life.
The sister in charge of Divine Mercy Hospital Sr Bernadette Duru OP, in her remarks, lauded the Bishop for putting smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries and pray God to continue to bless the diocese of Shendam.
Also Speaking, the JDPC Coordinator Rev Fr Silvanus Ali, said since the inception of the Diocese, the church had worked with several partners at the state, national and global levels toward the inclusion of people with disabilities in its programmes, that the Muslims and other Christian denominations have always enjoyed the generosity of the Catholic Church.
The representative of the CAN chairman Shendam Local Government Mr Mathias Dajan thanked the church in Shendam for this kind gesture.
The JNI chairman of Shendam Local Government represented by the Secretary, Alhaji Sarajo Babayo also commended the Bishop for rekindling the hope of the people with disabilities to live their dreams and calls for unity and peace.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Yohana Paishol thanked the Bishop for donating the wheelchairs to them.
The beneficiaries were drawn from Kwande, Langtang, Shendam and Kwa, deanaries, two Muslim from Shendam and Wase and two members from other christian denominations.
The beneficiaries, who before the gifts had faced challenges moving from one place to the other, could not hide their joy, while others were overwhelmed with emotions as they broke down shedding tears of joy in the process.
