It was a life-changing experience for 21-year-old Hazel Ngobeni when she received a fully motorized wheelchair on Thursday, March 12.

Born with severe back problems, Hazel has been wheelchair bound for the past seven years. She has, however, never allowed her disability to stand in her way and is at present a part-time computer literacy teacher at Mulinda¬thavha Primary School in the Mashamba area, a service she provides free of charge. The only problem was, however, that she needed her mother, Mrs Mercy Mavhodze, to push her around all day and when her mother was not around, she was pretty much stranded.

With nothing to lose, Hazel wrote a letter to Mr Solly Noor of Solly’s Discount World on February 20, asking him for an electronic wheelchair. Her letter made for inspiring reading.

“When we received her letter, we did not hesitate for one moment in deciding to help her,” said Mr Noor. They then did some research about what types of electronic wheelchair are currently available in the market.

“We had to give her the best,” said Mr Noor.

On March 12, Hazel was told she could come and collect her new wheelchair – a state-of-the-art Sparkport Digital Electronic Wheelchair with a price tag of about R30 000. The donation was made possible through the Solly and Zora Noor Foundation, the Noor family’s charitable foundation.

Hazel was overjoyed about her new wheelchair.

“I am so happy! I don’t know what to say. It will change my life. I am the happiest person in the world!” she said, thanking the Almighty and the Noor family.