The Red Cross of Montenegro and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been working together since 2012. Since then, they have been able to provide relief and make donations to various humanitarian organizations.
Just this past year, 1,500 wheelchairs were donated to the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation according to the Church’s Europe Newsroom.
“Before working with the Church, getting a wheelchair was a very complicated and long procedure for most of the people who need it. Now, the Red Cross is recognized as an organization that provides wheelchairs in a matter of a few days, free of charge,” said Nataša Uskoković, international relations advisor at Red Cross of Montenegro.
The collaboration between humanitarian organizations provides mutual benefits for everyone involved. The recent wheelchair donation will provide mobility to those in Europe and will enable individuals to gain a sense of independence and freedom.
Gael Yonnet, a wheelchair user and a humanitarian missionary, said, “As a Church, we just don’t have the resources to have volunteers on the ground in every country at all times. But working with these organizations that are already established in each country and have networks to reach the people, we can work a lot more effectively.”
‘A renewed sense of hope and happiness’
For Fatbardha, whose last name was not given, finding employment has always been a challenge for her because of her physical disability.
“The wheelchair has allowed me to move more freely, meet friends and take care of daily tasks,” said Fatbardha. “I used to fear the judgment and pity of others, but the wheelchair has given me part of my freedom back. I’m stronger now, both physically and emotionally.”
In Europe, the Church works with other organizations to provide relief and help individuals to build self-reliance and independence.
Ilir Gashi, who works for the humanitarian organization HANDIKOS, coordinates the distribution of donated wheelchairs in Kosovo.
“Our wheelchair recipients regain independence, mobility and a renewed sense of hope and happiness, even after experiencing a life-changing accident,” Gashi said. “Without the support of our partners, it would have been impossible to offer the wide range of services we provide. Today, I can confidently say that I don’t believe there is anyone in Kosovo who needs a wheelchair and does not have access to one.”
In order for the wheelchair to assist the user according to their needs, it must fit the individual properly. Yonnet, who oversees the donations for the Church in Europe, trains volunteers to ensure that every wheelchair is perfectly tailored to each candidate’s needs.
“A wheelchair is like a shoe,” Yonnet said. “Just like you need a shoe that fits right and is intended for a specific activity, you need a wheelchair that fits properly for the activity you are doing or else it could cause further harm and complications.”
‘A chain-reaction of love and generosity’
After the diagnosis of an autoimmune neurological condition as a student, Besmira, whose last name was not given, visited the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation’s Wheelchair Workshop in Vore, Albania, and was fitted for a wheelchair.
In addition to receiving a wheelchair, she also received employment support from ADRF and eventually secured a position at the prime minister’s offices in Albania. “The beginning is hard,” said Besmira, “But once you adjust, you start seeing the wheelchair as a tool that grants you independence.”
Blerta Drenofci, the executive director of ADRF, said that support from the Church and other organizations helps to provide “independence to persons with disabilities, enhancing their quality of life by enabling participation in community activities.”
She said that in countries like Albania, cooperation among organizations is important to fill in existing gaps: “The donations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have contributed to the fulfillment of the mission of our organization, which is improvement of the quality of life and the human rights protection of persons with disabilities.”
Yonnet said, “The Savior’s charity is contagious and easily spreads. The more humanitarian work we do in His name, the more we encourage and inspire others to be charitable themselves. It’s a chain-reaction of love and generosity.”
He continued, “President Spencer W. Kimball explained that ‘it is usually through another person that [God] meets our needs.’ As members of the Church, we are blessed to be that someone, to be tools in His hands and participate in His work here on earth.”
