The ceremony brought together key stakeholders from across government sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, and the Ministry of Equity.
During the ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Nicole Su, expressed heartfelt pride in Taiwan’s ongoing partnership with Saint Lucia, highlighting the donation as a reflection of the strong bonds of friendship and a shared vision for empowering all citizens.
Said Ambassador Su: “This Taiwanese NGO has been active in offering its long-standing commitment to provide timely assistance to those who are in need, particularly persons with disabilities. With this shared spirit and as a partner of this goodwill operation, my government is happy to join hands with this foundation for the third year consecutively to assist with the sea freight for these goods to be delivered and shipped here to Saint Lucia. I am very happy to present to you 120 wheelchairs for adults, 25 for children, 40 commode chairs, 80 aluminum walkers, and 100 aluminum canes to Saint Lucia.”
According to Hon. Jeremiah Norbert, the Minister for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, the donation, which includes wheelchairs, walkers, and other essential mobility aids, represents a major milestone for the Department of Persons with Disabilities.
This marks the first official donation received by the department, making the gesture both historic and deeply meaningful.
“From the establishment of the department responsible for persons with disability, we realise individuals flocking into the department, and most times the request was not more than ‘where can I get a wheelchair’, and this has been something which happens basically every day at the department, and individuals are hoping that they can get a wheelchair.”
Minister Norbert explained that the government continues to work to fulfill its mandate of providing resources to differently-abled persons.
“A mandate that says that we are going to restore dignity, we’re going to provide accessibility, and we’re going to create an environment where persons with disabilities feel comfortable in terms of doing things on their own,” he explained.
Minister for Health, Moses Jn Baptiste, expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Taiwan for their continued partnership and generous support.
“The donation of mobility devices, wheelchairs, and so on, this donation is very important. My colleague minister expressed how important it is to assist our people to cause them to have even more confidence in themselves to be able to move around and do their daily chores, and feel that they have some sort of mobility.”
The provision of mobility and support equipment is expected to significantly enhance the daily lives of recipients, allowing them to participate more fully in their communities and lead more independent lives.