As webmaster for this site, I am often asked "Why this group?" One of the reasons why I got involved with PSA was meeting Ayuba Guwafan in Jos, Nigeria. Hearing his story and seeing what he was doing as a polio survivor and for polio survivors and other handicaps in that area made me want to get involved.

Since coming back from that trip in 2008, I have told Ayuba’s story to anyone who will listen. His company Handicapped Advocacy and Rehabilitation Center builds wheelchairs out of bicycle parts. Why is that so important? As we know, things will break. If one of the lower-cost wheelchairs made out of plastic lawn chairs breaks, it is tossed on the side of the road and the person who was given the wheelchair has lost their transportation. If one of Ayuba’s wheelchairs break, anyone who can fix a bicycle can repair it. It may cost slightly more, but it is designed to last. It is also better for the country, because Ayuba is required to use bicycles made in Nigeria for his parts, employing local workers and supporting other businesses. This project creates sustainability, providing new equipment for greater production.

The first things we saw when entering Ayuba’s shop was the generator. A generator is required because his equipment needs a steady supply of power and that cannot be guaranteed by the public power system. He explained to us that he bought his 5 KVA generator used – it’s probably about 40 years old. An expert from the states said this generator should be dead – buy Ayuba and his employees kept it running somehow. (click here for video)

The next thing that Ayuba showed us was the welding machines. As he was talking to us, I looked carefully at the tag on the equipment – the machine was built the same year I was born – almost 50 years ago!

The wheelchairs that are made by Ayuba and his company are given free to those in need provided they attend school and/or vocational training. He also transports the wheelchairs at no costs to where they are needed.

Rotary Polio Survivors & Associates Rotary Action Group and the Rotary Club of Traverse City Michigan, and Casco Bay Sunrise Rotary coordinated with 7 districts and 27 Rotary Clubs from three continents to obtain grants totaling more than $120,000 to purchase new equipment and parts for Auyba and his company. With these parts and the new equipment, over 1000 new wheelchairs have been provided since December 2008. Ann Lee Hussey, chairperson of PSA was able to visit Jos recently and brought back pictures of the new equipment, which can be seen in our online gallery "Project Update-Wheelchairs in Nigeria".

Thank you all who participated. If you want to know more about this project and other projects by PSA, please see out website at www.rotarypoliosurvivors.org.

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"I have watched the presentation all the way through again, and the information that was shared by our presenters is extremely valuable for all polio survivors to see…not just those with known breathing problems. Knowledge is the key to 1) understanding neuromuscular respiratory compromise and 2) protecting yourself as you age with PPS.

I hope you will not only personally take a moment to view each segment of the presentations, but that you will also put out a reminder for your members to tune in as their time permits as well. Thank you for everything Rotary has done to support this important event and get information into the hands of polio survivors who need it most."

1. What is the history of and how big is the effort to eradicate polio from the world?

2. How many new cases of polio happened in 2010 and how does this compare with 2009?

3.  What are the main resources being used to eradicate the polio virus?

4. What are the strategies being used now to eradicate polio?

5. What would happen if we just stopped the eradication effort and let these few cases of polio remain unchecked?

6.  How many polio survivors are there in the world today?  In the USA?

7. Is there an ongoing health threat to polio survivors after they have recovered from polio itself?

8. How do polio survivors protect themselves from post-polio syndrome?

9.  Is this PPS protection/treatment expensive?

10. Do all polio survivors contract PPS?

11. What is being done in the USA to support polio survivors?

http://www.marchofdimes.ca/dimes/national_programs/national_programs/polio_canada/

This project is similar to project #3 in that it includes the purchase of more equipment for the sustainability of the wheelchair shop operated by the Handicapped Advocacy and Rehabilitation Center (HARC) in Jos, Nigeria.  This project will cover the cost of construction of 600 bicycle wheelchairs.  In addition it provides for the purchase of a 6-wheel flatbed that will be driven and maintained by the HARC.  This truck will take the place of (and be cheaper to maintain) the older trucks currently in use.  Because the wheelchair beneficiaries have absolutely no means of transportation other than their ability to “walk” on their hands, and of the great distance from the wheelchair shop, the wheelchairs must be delivered to each of them in their home villages, personally.  The truck will be able to carry 35-40 wheelchairs or more if a carrying rack is installed.

As in Grant #3 the wheelchairs are distributed free of charge.  Recipients are selected based both on need and on personal ambition to attend school, find meaningful work, etc.  Recipients are expected to report back to the local Rotarians in the host club of Nigeria.

This grant plus grant #3 complements a strong and ongoing relationship with the Host Rotary Club and the International Club and other international partners involved with the grant.  Members of most of the international clubs represented have personally participated in National Immunization Days campaigns for polio eradication.  Many are members of the Polio Survivors & Associates RAG.

Our collaboration partners include:

1 Rotary Club in Nigeria

1 Rotary Club and 1 District in Michigan, USA

7 Rotary Clubs and 1 District in Maine, USA

1 Rotary Club and 1 District in New York, USA

2 Rotary Clubs in Illinois

3 Rotary Clubs and 1 District in Hong Kong

4 Rotary Clubs and 1 District in Taipei

1 Rotary Club in North Carolina, USA

1 Rotary Club in Virginia, USA

1 District in Pennsylvania, USA

PSA Donor Advised Fund

This grant has been approval by the Rotary Foundation.

Project total: $54,865.17

Consider these ideas for creative fundraisers that have proven successful for clubs and districts:

· Purple Pinkie Project: Millions of children in endemic countries know that a freshly painted purple pinkie means freedom from Polio. When local community members make a $1.00 contribution to PolioPlus, Rotary volunteers mark their pinkies with the same gentian violet used around the world on NIDs (National Immunization Days). The purple pinkie is a personal symbol of helping one child become free from Polio forever. For more information, visit the following website:

http://www.rotary6940.org/uploads/District_Purple%20Pinkie%20Project%20H

andbook.pdf

· Celebrate a Big Day: Rather than exchanging gifts for a special occasion, request that friends and family make a contribution to Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.

· Raffles Big and Small: Raffle off a car, a seven-night cruise or four tickets to a local event such as a basketball game or a concert. Clubs can have a weekly raffle for local restaurants or area businesses.

· Skip a Meal: At your Rotary Club meeting, opt to skip the meal and donate the cost to Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.

· Host Rotary Night: Arrange with your local ball clubs and host a Rotary Night at the ball game. Both major and minor league teams have pitched in to help Rotary “strike out Polio”. Auction off throwing out the first pitch. Set up a booth in the ball park with information on Rotary and Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.

· Organize a walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon or skate-a-thon: Find Rotarians, Rotarian Fellowships, athletic groups or other community members who want to participate and ask them to solicit pledges for miles or kilometers walked, pedaled or skated.

· E-bay auction: Ask Rotarians, friends and family to clean their attics and basements of items (clothing, jewelry, furniture, housewares in good condition) they wish to give away. Collect the items and list them for auction on E-bay. Enlist the help of techno-savvy Rotaract and Interact clubs to take electronic photos of the items and post them on-line.

· Plan a Special Event: dinner, golf tournament, festival, picnic, wine tasting, Valentine’s Day dance, silent auction, sports competition are just a few suggestions that could draw participation from Rotarians and other members of the community.

· Create a special item for sale: CDs, cookbooks, ties, teddy bears, and mugs are only some of the items that have been sold to raise funds for PolioPlus.

· White elephant gift auction: after the holidays, ask club members to donate “white elephant” gifts that they do not want or need. Auction these items off at a club or district meeting to raise money for Polio!

· Pennies for Polio: a great way to involve non-Rotarians in the district. Rotarians and their friends and families place coin-collection cans or boxes in local businesses, schools, and homes. All proceeds are combined and donated to Rotary’s $US200 Million Challenge.

· Movie Night: Work with local cinemas to organize a movie night where the proceeds (or part of the proceeds) from admission are donated to Polio.  Publicize the event in the paper, on the radio and in all Rotary Clubs in the area and encourage family members, friends and non-Rotarians to attend.

· Million Dollar Dinner: Arrange to have a dinner with a Rotary Senior Leader, local celebrity, or District Governor. Invite guests who are able to make a significant gift to Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.

· Fireside Chat: A local Rotarian invites other members from the District to his or her home for an update on Polio eradication and an opportunity to discuss making a major gift. This event may be hosted by a Rotary officer or a Major Donor.

· Organize a Rotary Run for Polio Eradication: Solicit corporate sponsorship to cover the costs and raise funds by charging a registration fee for runners.  Consider having team or age-category competitions.

PolioToday.org is published by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. This website is designed to raise awareness of post-polio syndrome and to be a resource for polio survivors. Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first safe and effective polio vaccine, founded the Salk Institute in 1960.

The Kano Polio Victims Trust Association of Kano, Nigeria supports two soccer teams made up of polio survivors.  The Polio Survivors RAG purchased soccer uniforms for these teams in 2008.  These were the first uniforms ever owned by team members.  The joy and pride is evident in the photos shown.  They are a remarkable group of young men who have not allowed their disabilities to reduce their ability to have fun.  And they play an amazing game of soccer.

Just added:  here is a video of the teams playing.

This project will purchase the equipment and supplies needed to construct 500 wheelchairs for polio survivors in the polio endemic northern Nigerian states of Adamaw, Bauchi, Borno, Gomba, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Taraba, Nassarawa, Plateau, Jigawa, Yobe, and parts of Kogi.  The wheelchairs will give the polio survivors mobility, as a wheelchair is a first step in providing independence for a physically disabled person, especially in a region where corrective surgeries and rehabilitation facilities are not available.  It is especially important to get these people off the ground and restore their dignity.  The wheelchairs provide polio survivors the opportunity to attend school, learn a trade through vocational training, or get started in a business.  In fact, it is a requirement of the beneficiaries selected who receive these wheelchairs free of charge.  Indeed, enabling the recipients to live productive and independent lives. 

We are working closely with the Handicapped Advocacy and Rehabilitation Center who is donating labor for this project.  It is anticipated that 500 wheelchairs will be built and distributed eight months from commencement of the project.  By purchasing and updating essential equipment such as a generator, welding machines, bending machines, etc. the project will remain sustainable after it is completed – all that will be needed is additional funding to purchase parts.  The wheelchairs are designed to survive the roads and environment of rural Nigeria.

Our collaboration partners include: 1 Nigerian Rotary Club, 4 Michigan State, USA Rotary Clubs, 4 USA Rotary Districts, 3 Maine, USA Rotary Clubs, 1 New York state, USA Rotary Club, 1 Connecticut Rotary Club and the PSA Donor Advised Fund.  This project was scheduled for submission to The Rotary Foundation at the end of Rotary year 2008-09 but due to funding issues was submitted July 1 2009.  The grant has been approved at TRF.

Total Project: $63,384.99

The polio survivors come from impoverished communities in and around Delhi including the continuing endemic regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.  They cannot afford the cost of the surgeries or rehabilitation.  St. Stephens Hospital contributes 50% of the cost, which includes the surgeon’s fees, operation theatre costs, and fees of the anesthesiologists.  The Rotary grant 50% balance covers transportation of patients and their attendants (usually a parent) in a handicap accessible van, medications, calipers, and the physiotherapy and gait training required post surgery. 

Through social workers, we see that the child is able to go to school or attain a suitable job.  The Rehab Program works in close contact with WHO (National Polio Surveillance) which maintains a list of polio survivors.  It also works closely with the RI D3010 Social Welfare Society and the Foundation of Rehabilitation of the Handicapped (FORTH) that provides social welfare to polio survivors.

The Matching Grant including 1 Rotary Club and 1 District in India, 1 Rotary District in Hong Kong, 2 Rotary Clubs in Hong Kong and 2 Rotary Clubs in Taipei was approved and funding sent to India. This project is still in progress.

Total project: $25,000.

The European Polio Union (EPU) is a European umbrella organisation for national organisations that support people who have had polio and for people that are currently coping with Post Polio Syndrome (PPS). The EPU aims, by bringing all those organisations together, to strengthen their force, to learn from each other and to help each other. In some countries in Europe the knowledge and treatment of PPS is (much) better than in others and the aim is to make this more equal all over Europe.

Thank you to Els Symons for sharing this site with us.