Disability Aids for the Copperbelt
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A proposed project led by Richard Robbins, working with the Rotary Club of Ndola Central, and others.
When I was discussing plans for this year, Nkonde Chola of the Rotary Club of Ndola Central mentioned that there is a desperate need for equipment for people with physical disabilities in Zambia, as there is in many low to middle income countries. We agreed that we would investigate whether it might be possible to source and ship suitable equipment from the UK, thereby making a valuable contibution to the situation in and around Ndola.
How to achieve this?
It was clear that it would not be practical to look for equipment at a club level, not to mention the very complicated task of shipping it all the way to Zambia. Research led me to an organsiation called PhysioNet, which was formed in 2005 and became a registered charity in 2010. PhysioNet was established because a group of concerned therapists recognised the need for disability aids in poorer countries, and at the same time the people involved were aware that surplus equipment here in the UK was not always being reused, with large quantities ending up in landfill. It operates thoughout the UK, solely with a network of enthusiastic volunteers. In 2023 a charity called The Wheelchair Foundation, which had operated with similar aims since 2004, merged with PhysioNet with many of its volunteers joining the team.
With its HQ in North Yorkshire and depots in South West and South East England, donated equipment is collected, refurbished and stored awaiting despatch to countries in need. The equipment is shipped in 40' containers and PhysioNet asks for a donation of £1,000 per container towards its operating expenses, which are primarily storage and transportation costs, there are no staff costs. The recipients or funders are expected to cover the cost of shipping and this expense represents most of the overall cost - see below.
It was clear that it would not be practical to look for equipment at a club level, not to mention the very complicated task of shipping it all the way to Zambia. Research led me to an organsiation called PhysioNet, which was formed in 2005 and became a registered charity in 2010. PhysioNet was established because a group of concerned therapists recognised the need for disability aids in poorer countries, and at the same time the people involved were aware that surplus equipment here in the UK was not always being reused, with large quantities ending up in landfill. It operates thoughout the UK, solely with a network of enthusiastic volunteers. In 2023 a charity called The Wheelchair Foundation, which had operated with similar aims since 2004, merged with PhysioNet with many of its volunteers joining the team.
With its HQ in North Yorkshire and depots in South West and South East England, donated equipment is collected, refurbished and stored awaiting despatch to countries in need. The equipment is shipped in 40' containers and PhysioNet asks for a donation of £1,000 per container towards its operating expenses, which are primarily storage and transportation costs, there are no staff costs. The recipients or funders are expected to cover the cost of shipping and this expense represents most of the overall cost - see below.
PhysioNet in pictures
How to achieve this?
When the idea for the project was first discussed, it was intended to be for the shipment of one container to Ndola in order that the Rotary Club of Ndola Central could coordinate the distribution of the equipment in cooperation with local health services. However, PhysioNet has connections with the Copperbelt having previously shipped to the Kitwe area and following discussions between Rotary clubs there it has been agreed that other clubs, including Kitwe, will work in partnership with Ndola.
When the idea for the project was first discussed, it was intended to be for the shipment of one container to Ndola in order that the Rotary Club of Ndola Central could coordinate the distribution of the equipment in cooperation with local health services. However, PhysioNet has connections with the Copperbelt having previously shipped to the Kitwe area and following discussions between Rotary clubs there it has been agreed that other clubs, including Kitwe, will work in partnership with Ndola.
An expanded project.
With more than one town involved in the Copperbelt it was suggested that we could expand the scope of the project to cover two containers and also to budget for some specialist training by thererapists, arranged by PhysioNet, to ensure that local medical and NGO staff are able make the best use of the equipment.
With more than one town involved in the Copperbelt it was suggested that we could expand the scope of the project to cover two containers and also to budget for some specialist training by thererapists, arranged by PhysioNet, to ensure that local medical and NGO staff are able make the best use of the equipment.
Estimate budget for the project.
To ship 2 x 40' containers and deliver a training programme, the estimated costs are:
To ship 2 x 40' containers and deliver a training programme, the estimated costs are:
This is a significant and challenging target but each container contains, at a conservative estimate, equipment with a "new value" of at least £100,000 and has the potential to make life-enhancing changes to hundreds of children and adults currently excluded from many aspects of everyday life, such as education and employment opportunities.
Funding of the project - an appeal to Rotary Clubs
We intend to apply for a Rotary Global Grant. Assuming the project qualifies and our application is successful, it would mean that we would need to raise £14,750 with the balance of £11,750 being matched by the Global Grant.
At this stage we are seeking pledges from other Rotary Clubs, within our District 1200 and beyond. When we have a sufficient level of pledges we can proceed with the application for the Global Grant and start making arrangements with PhysioNet.
Funding of the project - an appeal to Rotary Clubs
We intend to apply for a Rotary Global Grant. Assuming the project qualifies and our application is successful, it would mean that we would need to raise £14,750 with the balance of £11,750 being matched by the Global Grant.
At this stage we are seeking pledges from other Rotary Clubs, within our District 1200 and beyond. When we have a sufficient level of pledges we can proceed with the application for the Global Grant and start making arrangements with PhysioNet.
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If you are interested in helping with this project and would like more information I would be happy to visit your club to explain things in more detail and answer any questions you might have - please feel free to get in touch via email: [email protected].
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Minehead Rotary Club has been active since 1937 and is part of Rotary International.
Rotary International has over 1.4 million members in 168 countries.
Rotary International has over 1.4 million members in 168 countries.
Our Rotary Great Britain & Ireland website: www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=1217
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