Samalani Phanga’s Story
Samalani Phanga was born some 32 years ago. He was crippled from birth, and has never been able to get around on his own. He has a part time job at a store near his home, but he has had to crawl to work each morning. During his free time he operates his own business garage. People rely on him to fix bicycles for them. But, since his garage is the other side of the road from his house, everyone is worried that it is unsafe for his to crawl crossing a big road. In addition to the problem of traffic the police have advised him it is unsafe for him to crawl. They say he must get another way to work or stop going out into the traffic. But, if he does this he will loose his job, and will also have to close his garage, and there is no one to help him. No one in his neighborhood has the money to help him with transportation. Samalani has a wife and five children, and if he doesn’t work no one will help him feeding his children and his wife.
A few days ago a wheelchair reached Samalani.
“When we gave it to him”, says Moses Banda from Blessings Hospital, “we could see him trying to jump up and down because he was full of joy and happiness. Samalani asked us to convey this message to you, ‘your gift has made it possible for me to care for my family and myself. We will be able to support ourselves, and not have to be given a hand out by others. Your example of helping me has given me the opportunity to tell everyone they must work hard to succeed, as I am doing.'”