The Municipality of Carmona recognized the humanitarian efforts of LDS Charities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with other NGOs, on July 1. Benson Misalucha, Area Welfare Services Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the Church.
The plaque indicated appreciation “for sustaining a strong committed partnership that brings hope, inspires and transforms lives for a better future.”
One of the six global initiatives of LDS Charities is the Wheelchair Training and Distribution. In 2012 with Elder and Sister Hadlock, 18 participants of the training from Carmona were certified as wheelchair technicians and assessors. Applying theory into practice, the newly certified assessors evaluated and measured beneficiaries, and made sure each recipient had the right kind of wheelchair that fit the body properly.
The present Wheelchair Directors, Elder and Sister Staton, said that this initiative is being made available to LGUs, aside from NGOS, to fast track training and distribution. At present, a month long intermediate wheelchair training for technicians is ongoing at De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite. The training starts at a basic level. Assessors are then certified after training to the intermediate and advanced level. The higher level training would allow the assessors and technicians to fit people with more specialized needs.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first participated in a wheelchair initiative in 2003. In 2006, a total of 54,840 wheelchairs were distributed in 54 countries including the Philippines. Last year, more than 4,000 wheelchairs were distributed in the Philippines alone. More wheelchairs can reach more people as the number of certified technicians and assessors increase.
LDS Charities works to improve the services provided to the physically challenged and distribute manual wheelchairs or walking aids appropriate to individual needs and circumstances. Using volunteer trainers, LDS Charities strengthens the capability of local organizations to assess individual needs, select and fit appropriate wheelchairs, train individuals and caregivers, provide support for repair and maintenance, and implement World Health Organization guidelines. Where it's feasible, LDS Charities seeks to support local production of wheelchairs.