Eleven-year-old Amelia Tayub has donated 57 wheelchairs and cushion-making materials worth K32 million to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre to enhance its services.
The support is part of her Junior Award Scheme for Schools (Jass) Community Project.
Speaking on Tuesday at QECH, Amelia, a student at Hill View International School in BCA Hill, Blantyre, said she raised the funds for two months.
She said she launched the project after she benefitted from the hospital’s mobility equipment when she suffered multiple leg injuries as a young child.
Said Amelia: “That experience helped me understand how important mobility equipment is. I realised that the hospital does not always have enough resources. So, I wanted to give back to the hospital.
“I am proud I was able to raise enough for 57 wheelchairs and I am grateful to everyone who supported me.”
The donation has brought relief to the hospital’s Rehabilitation Department, which has been facing a huge demand for wheelchairs.
On his part, QECH controller of hospital administrative support services Sipho Nyasulu said the hospital has 557 patients on the waiting list for wheelchairs.
He said: “This effort is a major contribution. I appeal for continued support from well-wishers because government resources mainly prioritise curative services.
“However, rehabilitation also needs support because it improves the quality of life for many patients.”
Amelia’s father, Mohamed Tayub, said he was moved when his daughter shared her desire to support the hospital.
“It was a proud moment seeing an 11-year-old hatching such an idea,” he said.
The father said he supported his daughter by reviewing her fundraising letters, handling payments to suppliers and helping her contact the company that produced the wheelchairs.
Amelia also thanked her family, donors, Hill View staff and the school’s Parent Teachers Association for supporting her initiative.
