Come September, little Renelle Joseph, 12, would be going to school in a motorised wheelchair.
Renelle, who was born with deformed feet, expressed her wish to Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan after she wrote the 2019 SEA exams, to have a new wheelchair.
This dream materialised when Boodhan visited the Longdenville Government Primary School during the last school term.
Boodhan then sought sponsorship from various businessmen in Chaguanas to make the child’s dream a reality.
Renelle said she was only too happy for the motorised wheelchair and said she hoped to be a baker when she grows up.
On Thursday, in a simple ceremony, Renelle got her wheelchair and books and she is all set to attend the Chaguanas North Secondary School when the new term begins in two weeks.
Boodhan became emotional at the handing over ceremony and his eyes started to fill with tears.
He recalled Renelle whispering in his ear that she wanted a wheelchair.
Boodhan said Leona Oliverre, the child’s mother, also expressed that Renelle was also disenchanted over a large number of broken promises that were made to her over the years.
Boodhan called on all families and non-governmental organisations to adopt a needy child for the new school term and ensure that these children are provided with all the essentials for attending school in September.
Boodhan said education was the most important tool for empowerment.
Also bringing greetings was Chaguanas East MP Fazal Karim who said if the UNC should again enter the corridors of power, he would complete several educational projects that had been left in limbo by the present PNM administration.
Karim also urged the youths present at the function to avoid any negative influences they may encounter at school.
Shivinand Maharaj was also given books.
Shivanand’s father was a contract worker at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation, who died before Shivinand wrote the exams.