In an act full of solidarity and reaffirming the commitment to the well–being of the communities of the Gulf of Morrosquillo, the Colombian Navy, through the Navy Infantry Training School -ESFIM- and the Yes We Serve Foundation, made the distribution of eleven specialized wheelchairs to people with disabilities and in vulnerable situations, of the departments of Córdoba and Sucre.
In the midst of a festive atmosphere, a group of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Students of the ESFIM, accompanied by representatives of the foundation and the group of Musicians of the Naval Institution, arrived at the homes of eight minors and three adults in the municipalities of Lorica, Tolú, San Antero and Sincé, to deliver these means of mobility support that seek to improve the quality of life of the beneficiaries.
Professionals of the Yes We Serve Foundation and crew members of the Colombian Navy made previous visits, in order to know first-hand the medical and physical conditions of children and adults with the purpose of adapt the elements to the vulnerabilities of each person. In this way, the wheelchairs were selected and customized in the city of Barranquilla and later they were transferred to the facilities of the Navy Infantry Training School, in Coveñas, department of Sucre, where they were carefully assembled and sent to the municipalities where the beneficiaries live.
Lieutenant Colonel Diego González Vargas, Deputy Director of the ESFIM, highlighted that these operations represent the essence of the service that characterizes the members of the Colombian Navy: “The Navy Infantry Training School reiterates its commitment to the wellbeing of the most vulnerable communities in the Gulf of Morrosquillo ... This mission does not end today; we will continue tirelessly to train Navy Non-Commissioned Officers in an comprehensive way, not only to defend the nation, its security and independence, but in the same way to work to improve the unsatisfied basic vulnerabilities of these communities that need our commitment.”
It should be noted that these activities are in the same way part of the training process of the students of the Intermediate Instruction Course –Capinte- and the Professional Course for Third Navy Corporal, strengthening their knowledge in comprehensive operation, especially in the coordination of State resources and strategic allies, in order to contribute to the construction of a safer, more supportive and inclusive country.
Stories of Hope
Danilo Padilla V.
With a cake and to the rhythm of the group of Musicians of the Institution, ESFIM crew members, representatives of the Yes We Serve Foundation and civil authorities, they walked the streets of the municipality of Tolú, department of Sucre, to reach the home of the Young Danilo Padilla Vázquez, who suffers from cerebral palsy, to celebrate his fifteenth birthday. As a present, he received his new wheelchair, which will lead him to attend his physical and speech rehabilitation therapies more easily.
His mother and caregiver, Mrs. Dailen Vázquez relates that she faced many difficulties and thanked for the donation of this new wheelchair, “I want to thank the Navy and the Yes We Serve Foundation, because thanks to them it will improve the quality of life of Danilo, and mine too, because I got despaired when I saw him falling (to the ground), he hit the ground”.
Jonás Sierra
Jonas, a nine-year-old boy who, like his mother, suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, known as crystal bones, dreamed of having a wheelchair that led him to attend school safely. His mother, Estefanía Sierra Contreras, explained that, in order to attend the school in the village of San Pedro, department of Sucre, where they in the same way reside, the boy had to have a means of support that will prevent new fractures, taking into account that he has already suffered more than fifteen.
“My son is going to have a better education, better health and comfort. He's going to be fine and he's going to be happy,” said Estefanía excitedly, who said that her son longs to study to be a professional and help her in the future. She, who is a single mother and head of household, has even had to sell her hair to take care of him.
Source: Press – Navy of Colombia
