Published On El Universo Newspaper
Álvaro Noboa gave a wheelchair to Katherine Valdez.
Despite the cataracts that cloud his vision and prevent him from clearly see what’s
going on around him, Vicente Jurado, 76, continues manufacturing and repairing
wheelchairs.
“I am blind and work alone, what little I sell helps me survive,” said Jurado, who
for three decades has managed his business on the corner of Babahoyo and Camilo
Destruge.
Two years ago his business was about to collapse, he had no money to buy replacement
parts. The Crusade for a New Humanity Foundation, whose staff visits popular areas
and grants credits to those in need, noticed Jurado’s situation.
With this “divine help,” as he refers to the loan, Jurado kept his business. “I didn’t
know what to do, I considered closing, but thanks to the Foundation and my effort I
succeeded,” he said, adding that he now hopes the Crusade for a New Humanity can
help him organize an eye operation.
The Crusade for a New Humanity, created on November 21, 1977, by Alvaro Noboa,
began its work with the implementation of neighborhood libraries in areas like north
Guasmo, south and central Fertisa, Flor de Bastion, Malvinas, among other areas, in
order to offer the community a tool to strengthen the resident’s academic knowledge.
Furthermore, the guides – who visit these areas every 15 days – assemble help groups
for young people to occupy them in productive activities such as craft classes.
Another service offered by the Foundation is the Medical Brigades, which up until last
week attended 7614 people in different parts of the country. Among them, La Chala,
where last Friday 200 people took part and three wheelchairs were handed out.
Among the beneficiaries was Katherine Valdez, 17, who was disabled two years ago by
a stray bullet.
To move around, the child borrowed a wheelchair from her neighbor in Durán. “I am
happy because I can finally move on my own,” said Valdez, who will next year resume
the studies she had to abandon when the accident occurred.
The Crusade for a New Humanity keeps track of patients with medical illness such as
cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, at Malecon 512 and Tomas Martinez.
Part of the funds of the charitable organization come from the German organization
Hilfe Guayas-Ecuador from Hamburg. In 1999 they began the Banana Plan, which
provides bananas, pineapples, and other foods to children and elders in communal
kitchens. For more information call 233-0638 and 230-7276.
Vicente Jurado received a credit for his wheelchair
business, located in Babahoyo and Camilo Destruge.
