The Heal Foundation organised a meeting attended by about 150 people. For Fr Abid Tanveer, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad, “we have to sensitise people to change their behaviour towards disabled persons” through inspiration in Jesus.
Faisalabad (AsiaNews) – The Heal Foundation, a Christian non-profit organisation, donated 20 wheelchairs and five walkers at a meeting titled "Persons with disabilities: problems and solutions".
About 150 people with different social backgrounds, including priests, nuns, government officials, NGO workers, doctors, and teachers attended the event held in Faisalabad, eastern Pakistan.
Those present included Fr Abid Tanveer, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad; Amna Alam, deputy director of Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Mall; and Afshan Habib, psychologist from the Special Education Centre.
Heal Foundation Vice President Lubna Shahbaz gave a warm welcome, followed by the presentation of the organisation’s annual report for 2022.
Several experts spoke at the meeting, focusing on the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Afterwards, wheelchairs and walkers were given to various beneficiaries, and religious leaders addressed the gathering.
“We have to take concrete steps to reduce the plight of persons with disabilities,” said Fr Abid Tanvir. “I am really happy for the initiative taken by Heal Foundation Pakistan; we have to sensitise people to change their behaviour towards disabled persons.”
The Gospel is full of stories about “disabled persons who came to the Jesus for healing and He healed them. He always treated them very humbly and fulfilled their desires. This is what we have to do in our lives for the happiness of our Lord.”
Nasreen Bibi, 50, is one of the people who received a wheelchair. “I belong to a very poor family, and due to my disability I have had to stay in bed for a long time,” she explained. “My family was unable to purchase a wheelchair for me so that I could move.
“Thanks to the Lord, the Heal Foundation’s team visited our house and invited me to this programme and gave me this wheelchair. I am really thankful to the team for doing such great work for us; I shall keep praying for them.”
Heal Foundation President Shahbaz Aziel expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the participants and invited guests for their involvement with the programme.
In his address, he said: “We will continue [to provide] our services for these special persons and will [try to] reach more people for their support. We will keep knocking on the doors of government institutions to support these persons.”