In February 2016, Access Abilities donated a custom-fitted wheelchair to Bopoma Villages for Willard, a young man with cerebral palsy, who lives in a thatched hut with his mother and two brothers in a remote village in rural Zimbabwe. “We are so grateful to be able to help you help Willard” says co-owner Kirstin Courtney. We are so grateful for Access Abilities! The smile on Willard’s face tells us how he feels about his new chair.
Access Abilities is a Toronto business that provides sales, service, and rentals of home healthcare products that improve mobility, accessibility and safety. Their moto is “your ability store, our passion”. Owners, David and Kristin Courtney, learned first-hand the devastating effect that a life changing injury or disability can cause. Their passion for helping others came about after witnessing how the life of their friend was transformed by the many medical devices he needed following a horrific motor vehicle accident. Kristin exudes passion as she describes the joy of helping others access the abilities they do have through assistive devices. The company is committed to providing every client with personalized and friendly service to ensure that they can experience life to the fullest. Along with their staff, David and Kristin also spend countless hours supporting charitable organizations and initiatives in the community.
Access Abilities has generously offered to partner with Bopoma Villages for the month of April to help meet the desperate needs of children and families in rural Zimbabwe facing severe drought conditions, the worst in more than 15 years. According to UNICEF, the number of hungry families has doubled in recent months. Thousands of children face severe acute malnutrition. More than a third of families lack adequate water to meet their daily needs. The scarcity of water also exposes children to higher risks of water-borne diseases including diarrhea, typhoid and cholera.
Bopoma Villages strengthens and equips the most vulnerable families to help them meet their critical needs. Through projects that bring clean water and agriculture training, Bopoma Villages is bringing health, nutrition and much needed hope.