By Albert Santoli | Project Leader
Dear Friends,
In July 2022, Asia America Initiative received an urgent request from one of our former staff members in the remote Philippine province of Sulu. She told me that a 1-year-old child, Baby Noor, had been born with a congenital heart defect and needed open-heart surgery in Manila. Both of Baby Noor's parents are young school teachers receiving very modest salaries.
The cost of travel to the capital of Manila and the surgery and medical preparations would be more than the baby's parents earn in one year. Sulu archipelago in Muslim Mindanao is possibly the most deprived and under-served region in Southeast Asia, with one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. The province of nearly 1 million people is serviced by only 10 doctors. Saving Baby Noor's life would have an added virtue of a message to the community that hope and peace are possible when every life is valued.
Although some medical sources told us that Noor's chances for recovery were challenging, we did not lose faith in her resilience and that sometimes miracles do happen!
AAI made an appeal for help to the GlobalGiving community, and within a short time, we raised the funds that made the surgery possible. Baby Noor's mother, Teacher Nitt, remembers, "We did not know if the surgery could be possible because the total expense was more than my husband and I earn in an entire year. Our families and friends tried to assist, but the cost of travel and pediatric open-heart surgery is super expensive. In addition, the travel expense and cost of staying in a hotel in Manila were more than we could afford.”
But people around the world did see the AAI appeal in GlobalGiving, and their response was beyond our expectations. Donations came from peoples of many faiths and cultures, but they saw Baby Noor’s family as their own.
We are very pleased to report that the skillful surgeons at the Philippine Heart Center's Pediatric Center were successful! Baby Noor’s mom, “Our hopes and prayers were answered with Little Noor's life saved. She has regained her appetite and has all the boundless energy of a healthy toddler. Although our family is Muslim, all of your help is already a blessing this Christmas. We feel like we have one big family. Thank you for everything."
Professor Albert Santoli, Founder of AAI, expressed his appreciation to all of our donors, "Thank you for being a part of this heartfelt team."
If you would like to make a contribution to other children receiving treatment, please follow the link below.
Cancer treatment for 20 children and 30 women
If you would like to give the children gifts and a party for the Holidays, please choose the following:
Holiday Party for 100 Children with Cancer
Christmas Toys for 200 Children with Cancer
Wishing you peace,
Albert Santoli
Director, Asia America Initiative
Links:
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