Hands for Mohamed
Mohamed Mara is within weeks of being fitted with his myoelectric hands thanks to the exceptional response of many Islanders.
Posted: Monday 5th October 2009 11:17
Friends of Mohamed launched an $80,000 campaign, on June 15. $44,000 has been raised, as of October 2nd. See the full letter to the editor from Marie Burge.
Dear Editor,
Mohamed Mara is within weeks of being fitted with his myoelectric hands thanks to the exceptional response of many Islanders. Mohamed’s story has touched a lot of people.
During a diamond trade civil war in his homeland, Sierra Leone, Mohamed’s parents and siblings were massacred.. Mohamed barely escaped with his life, only to be caught later by rebels who brutally cut off his hands. Mohamed with his uncle and family escaped, eventually relocating to PEI as refugees in 2005.
The Physical Medicine Department at the QEH fitted Mohamed with cable-operated hooks, which he is now using. With Myoelectric hands Mohamed will enjoy greater comfort, increased capacities, and a more independent life.
Friends of Mohamed launched an $80,000 campaign, on June 15. This was highlighted by the announcement that Murphy’s Pharmacies had already pledged $15,000 and offered to be an active campaign partner.
The past three months proved again the innate and spontaneous generosity of Islanders. People found many creative ways to get involved. This began with a Father’s Day concert in Charlottetown, organized by Scott Parsons and hosted by the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. This raised $3,500.
People in various communities organized events: a benefit dance in Fortune with Lost in Thyme band; a ceilidh in Stratford, organized by the Murray River Ceilidhs group; a girls’ soccer tournament at UPEI; and the touching gesture of three children who organized a barbeque-lemonade sale, raising $287. Island fiddler, Kevin Chaisson, composed a reel in honor of Mohamed and held a name-the-tune contest, raising about $800 at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival. One woman in Charlottetown, Grania Scott, aiming to raise $1000, asked to be authorized to conduct a canvass among her friends and neighbors. A few businesses and one service club have made donations. The result: the campaign has raised $44,000 to-date.
Friends of Mohamed has initiated the second phase of its campaign which aims at getting a wider involvement of local businesses, service clubs, selected community groups and churches. Golf enthusiast, Jean Kelly, is organizing a golf tournament at Fox Meadows for Saturday, October 10. When the campaign reaches its original goal, Mohamed will be assured his myoelectric hands, necessary physiotherapy, adjustments, maintenance, and upgrading for a number of years to come.
Marie Burge
On behalf of Friends of Mohamed
Mohamed Mara is within weeks of being fitted with his myoelectric hands thanks to the exceptional response of many Islanders. Mohamed’s story has touched a lot of people.
During a diamond trade civil war in his homeland, Sierra Leone, Mohamed’s parents and siblings were massacred.. Mohamed barely escaped with his life, only to be caught later by rebels who brutally cut off his hands. Mohamed with his uncle and family escaped, eventually relocating to PEI as refugees in 2005.
The Physical Medicine Department at the QEH fitted Mohamed with cable-operated hooks, which he is now using. With Myoelectric hands Mohamed will enjoy greater comfort, increased capacities, and a more independent life.
Friends of Mohamed launched an $80,000 campaign, on June 15. This was highlighted by the announcement that Murphy’s Pharmacies had already pledged $15,000 and offered to be an active campaign partner.
The past three months proved again the innate and spontaneous generosity of Islanders. People found many creative ways to get involved. This began with a Father’s Day concert in Charlottetown, organized by Scott Parsons and hosted by the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. This raised $3,500.
People in various communities organized events: a benefit dance in Fortune with Lost in Thyme band; a ceilidh in Stratford, organized by the Murray River Ceilidhs group; a girls’ soccer tournament at UPEI; and the touching gesture of three children who organized a barbeque-lemonade sale, raising $287. Island fiddler, Kevin Chaisson, composed a reel in honor of Mohamed and held a name-the-tune contest, raising about $800 at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival. One woman in Charlottetown, Grania Scott, aiming to raise $1000, asked to be authorized to conduct a canvass among her friends and neighbors. A few businesses and one service club have made donations. The result: the campaign has raised $44,000 to-date.
Friends of Mohamed has initiated the second phase of its campaign which aims at getting a wider involvement of local businesses, service clubs, selected community groups and churches. Golf enthusiast, Jean Kelly, is organizing a golf tournament at Fox Meadows for Saturday, October 10. When the campaign reaches its original goal, Mohamed will be assured his myoelectric hands, necessary physiotherapy, adjustments, maintenance, and upgrading for a number of years to come.
Marie Burge
On behalf of Friends of Mohamed