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BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS |
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THE SPIRIT OF BUILDERS BEYOND BORDERS Builders Beyond Borders delights in gifts that keep on giving. That is true of our construction projects, and in the following examples of "extras." WHEELCHAIR DONATION 
While on the site inspection trip to Brazil, one project we chose was the construction of a large dining hall, kitchen, and storage facility for APAE, a school for mentally and physically challenged kids. We noticed in the school lobby a wheelchair with a large sign advertising the price of the chair. We asked about it and were told by Rueben, the man who runs the wheelchair workshop, that APAE sells them to make money to help support the school. The cost per wheelchair: only US$ 75.00! Rueben went on to tell us that the school had just lost 2 kids because their families could not afford to buy wheelchairs and the kids were too big for their mothers to carry them to school. Hearing this, we bought two wheelchairs on the spot! But then we starting thinking -- we could certainly raise special monies to buy more wheelchairs. Back in the US after hearing our story, one of our moms offered to give yoga classes and put all the class fees into a wheelchair fund. People started to talk -- the wheelchairs were something everyone could envision. The need was so great. Builders Beyond Borders ultimately purchased more than 200 wheelchairs for the school's children, the elderly, the physically challenged adults, and even some for the local hospital. The little "add-on" to our project was for everyone a WIN-WIN! CLAUDIO'S LEG 
One of the first people we met on our site inspection trip was a handsome young man named Claudio. Claudio, who is a Board member of APAE, runs an organization for people who have lost limbs. His organization teaches them how to cope with losing a limb, how best to get around, how to ask for help, and how to keep an upbeat attitude. Claudio explained that when he was nineteen, he stumbled over a poacher's trip wire in the rainforest, and as he fell, a shotgun went off and blew off his leg! Claudio asked us how it was that we were buying wheelchairs for people who have two legs when he knew many who only had one leg…and couldn't we do something for them? We returned home, but could not stop thinking about Claudio. When one of our very generous dads gave us an unexpected donation to use in Brazil, we asked if we could use his donation to buy a leg for Claudio. Happily, he agreed. When we returned to Brazil, we asked Claudio if he wanted a new leg. Well, he laughed, cried, repeatedly touched his hand to his heart, and in a moment of humor said, "Now the girls will dance with me." He was measured for his new leg; the titanium mechanism (there just happened to be one available waiting for someone else who never arrived), complete with hydraulics at the knee and ankle, must be fitted within a soft "casing" which is then attached to the leg's stump. This all happened on a Monday. On Wednesday, at a wheelchair presentation ceremony, Claudio walked out for the first time on his new leg! |
8 Willard Road • Norwalk, CT 06851 USA Tel: (203) 847-5220 • Fax: (203) 847-5112 Email: info@buildersbeyondborders.org |