Ama Wheelies urgently needs funds
The Ama Wheelies recently held a meeting with various businesses and business owners in town to discuss certain problems not only facing this organisation, but the public as a whole.
LYDENBURG – The Ama Wheelies recently held a meeting with various businesses and business owners in town to discuss certain problems not only facing this organisation, but the public as a whole.
Mr Barry Botes of Ama Wheelies said that several issues had to be addressed including the state of the roads, wheelchair accessibility at shops and poor signal from cellular service providers. “Lydenburg is a growing town. If you think the roads are bad where you are driving with your 4×4, think of us in wheelchairs.
We can’t ride on the pavements and are thus forced to use the road itself. Accessibility is also a major issue. Places like Pick n Pay has great wheelchair accessibility and we thank it for that. Yet, there are many others that still do not take quadriplegics into account. We also have to address the issue of bad cellular signal. We, more than anyone, need to have good signal for emergencies, but this is also everyone’s problem,” said Botes.
He mentioned that this meeting was called to take into account the everyday issues facing the residents and those in wheelchairs. “We have small businesses to fill our financial needs. We do not always ask for donations.
Lack of funds is our biggest obstacle. Come look at the rehabilitation centre; we teach sticky-keys and do computer setup for disabled persons who are unable to use the mouse, computer and communication skills. We even teach them farming methods, enabling them to return to their homes with new skills and the ability to survive in a harsh world.
We can provide help with ramp designs and recycle used printer cartridges. We want to be independent and we also face the same problems as ordinary residents.”
Ama Wheelies also calls upon businesses and individuals to sign up for their free fax-to-email number. “No new hardware, software or capital investment is required and it can be implemented quickly and easily. Faxes are delivered directly to your inbox and no paper is wasted. This is also a way to donate at no cost to you. The organisation gets 20c every time you receive a fax to email,” Botes explained.
He said that not only was their cause worthy, but that they were situated in rural Mpumalanga, serving disadvantaged, poor and disabled individuals which enabled any donor to qualify for BEE and tax rebate. “Our paperwork and record-keeping is in order. Ama Wheelies is a Section 21 non-profit organisation.”
