Harry Savy Insurance supports children with cerebral palsy |31 October 2015

Children suffering from cerebral palsy can expect better comfort now that the Seychelles Children’s Foundation (SCF) has received a donation of wheelchairs and required aids.

The donation, a gift from Harry Savy Insurance (HSI) under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, comprises 11 wheelchairs and various aids including eight adjustable tables, seven adjustable chairs, 10 walker aids, 10 foot supports and 50 crutches which have cost about R200,000.

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills which is the ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way.

It is usually caused by brain damage that occurs before or during a child's birth, or during the first 3 to 5 years of a child's life.

HSI ambassadors Agnes Gerry and Wendy Bristol handed over the donation to the deputy chief executive of the Health Care Agency (HCA) Dr Danny Louange and Wavel Woodcock, the project and communications manager of SCF.

The ceremony took place at the SCF headquarters at Bel Eau in the presence of HSI manager Murline Lebon, representatives from health and education ministries, among other guests.

On July 12, 2013 an agreement was signed between SCF and HSI whereby a sum of R400,000 for the duration of two years was to be donated and R200,000 per year was made available by HSI to fund the cerebral palsy project.

The first batch of 24 wheelchairs was donated in June last year and the project came to an end yesterday at the handing over ceremony of the equipment.

The SCF is working closely with the Ministry of Health and the National Council for the Disabled to distribute the consignment and to better the lives and conditions of children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Mrs Lebon said HSI, which this year celebrated its 20th anniversary, is very much committed to continue supporting various projects under its CSR programme.

“We believe in promoting a healthy co-existence between businesses and the community, this conviction is reflected in our community outreach policy which is strongly oriented at assisting under privileged children among others,” she said.

Dr Louange thanked HSI for this tremendous support they are providing to these children and said that this disorder affects the children’s muscles but not their mental capacity as it grows the same as a normal child would.

“They should be included in the society as anyone else and I would gladly welcome these gifts because it enables them to be incorporated in the system,” he said.

Mr Woodcock took the opportunity to call out to other businesses and companies to come forward and be involved in safeguarding the interest of children in Seychelles that are suffering from such disorders and other ailments.

“There is so much that you can do to help the children of Seychelles and SCF is engaged towards safeguarding and helping the maximum number of children in Seychelles as possible,” he said.
 
Agnes Laporte, who has a 13-year-old daughter with this condition, echoed words of thanks on behalf of the children and their parents.

“These wheelchairs will help them be more mobile with assistance and on their own. This will also bring joy to our families and children,” she said.

Mrs Laporte adopted Tasia Laporte at the age of two from the President’s Village when she was working there as a mother.