Lifeline for

The Joint Therapy Outreach program board member and a team of occupational therapists, students, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and a general practitioner visit the island for two weeks each year.

‘The people in Vanuatu are wonderfully generous and extremely appreciative of everything that we offer them,’ Ms Richard said.

‘Often it takes the people with disabilities and their families several hours of walking, or transport to reach the makeshift clinic in the hope of receiving a wheelchair or medical attention.’

Wangara not-for-profit Wheelchairs for Kids provided the rough-terrain adjustable children’s wheelchairs. Occupational therapy week is from October 19 to 25.