Nearly one year since the launch of the project of free wheelchair repair for the disabled, lecturers  and students of the Department of Sewing, Mechanical Engineering at the Da Nang Junior Vocational Training College have made repairs to 66 wheelchairs owned by individuals and groups across the city. This good deed contributes to spreading positive messages and sharing some of the living cost burdens facing people with disabilities and facilitating their life.

Lecturers and students from the Da Nang Junior Vocational College dedicate themselves to repairing wheelchairs for the disabled. Photo: T.V

Receiving a newly repaired wheelchair back from the staff and students of the Da Nang Junior Vocational College, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lieu, a disable woman residing in Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District emotionally said: “I use a wheelchair for more than 5 years. A month ago, the car broke down one wheel and the brakes did not work properly. I took it to a motorbike repair shop for repair but I hesitated because I didn't have enough money pay such a high cost. When I heard from a friend who was in the same situation as me, it could be repaired by this college for free. Grasping this chance, I managed to contact with the school for urgent help. I was quite surprised and touched when the volunteers came to my house to bring the wheelchair to the school for repair and return it after three days. Hopefully, this model will continue to be maintained for a long time to support people with disabilities like me.”

With the same feelings, Ms. Ngo Thi Thu Hong from An Hai Dong Ward, Son Tra District, confided, “Disabled people consider wheelchairs to be their second legs. Therefore, if the wheelchair breaks down, it is very inconvenient whereas the repair cost is high. Fortunately, I was introduced by the Son Tra District Disabled People’s Association to the free wheelchair repair project, and I got my wheelchair fixed in a prompt fashion”.

Sharing about meaningful work, student Tran Vo Nhat Hung, a member of the repair team, excitedly said: "A year ago, when I heard that the school had a free wheelchair repair project, I signed up to participate in it. Doing this helps me improve my skills, and at the same time, partly helping people with disabilities travel more easily”.

According to Hung, the structure of wheelchairs is much different from motorbikes or bicycles, so spare parts are rare on the market. The majority of wheelchairs have damaged tyres and worn-out brakes, so every time a part is found, the team has to tailor each wheelchair type to ensure safety when travelling.

As revealed by Mr. Pham Xuan Cat, a lecturer at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, at present, there are about 20 lecturers and students of the school’s Department of Sewing and Mechanics participating in this highly meaningful project.

In particular, students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering are in charge of repairing the welded frame and assembly structure, while those from the Sewing Department will take care of the aesthetic aspects of wheelchairs such as repairing peeling seats and peeling backrests.

The staff designed several new accessories to fulfill some of the wheelchair's functions. In addition, the discarded wheelchairs are also tinkered with and repaired by the members for later donation to the disabled. After completing the repair stages, students make careful checks before handing them over their owners.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu, Secretary of the Youth Union organisation of Da Nang Junior Vocational Training College, the free wheelchair repair project was part of the "Summer Volunteer" programme in 2022 and it has been maintained until now. At first, the project offered repairs for the Son Tra District Association of People with Disabilities and the Da Nang Disabled People's Association.

After that, the group continued to repair wheelchairs used by patients who underwent rehabilitation at the Son Tra District Medical Centre and many special education institutions across the city.

"I want to spread this job to many people so that when they need it, they just need to make a phone call and someone will come to their house to pick up the wheelchair  and take it to repair.", said Hung.

It is known that the cost of implementing the project is extracted from the operation fund of the Youth Union of Da Nang Junior Vocational College and the contributions made by students and lecturers.

Each newly repaired wheelchair costs an average of about VND 500,000, depending on how much or how little parts are replaced.
 

Reporitng by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by A.THU