Freemasons reach out to those with multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Namibia (MSN) founder Bianca Özcan was pleasantly surprised when her organisation received a donation of N$100 000 from the Freemason’s United Grand Lodge of England. The cheque handover was recently done by Sir David Wootton recently in Windhoek.

“We did not expect this at all. This is a blessing we did not expect,” Özcan said.

Due to the global economic downturn, sourcing donations as a charitable organisation is becoming harder, she said.

To raise funds for their operations and sensitising events, MSN members are working their fingers to the bone.

Özcan said multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic non fatal disease that causes the deterioration of the protective covering of the nerve cells (myelin sheath/white matter) in the brain and spinal cord.

Some of the symptoms of MS are fatigue, blurry speech, numbness, body pain and optic neuritis, she said.

According to Özcan, there are 54 patients on their database, of which 17 are employed. The rest (37) are unemployed, leaving them with a financial burden and this is just a small part of their expenses.

Meanwhile, Wootton told The Namibian that kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry.

The organisation provides a support structure that helps members make positive contributions to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising events or volunteer work.