Dear SARA friends and families:
Since the last post:
Dr. Alex R, our CEO and Board Chairman continues to participate and update the (other) President regarding the activities in Transcarpathia, Ukraine. The conflict/war has not caused any deaths or mass destruction in the area of our specific sites: Transcarpathian Regional Children’s Hospital in Munkacs/Mukachevo, St. Michael’s Home in Rot and the Nagydobrony Reformed Good Samaritan Children’s Home. Donations for generator fuel, food and personal health supplies are urgently needed. All the facilities accommodate residents/patients, numbering more than the original proposed occupancy.
Rev. Dr. David Pandy-Szekeres, our Executive Director is exceedingly busy transporting goods, donations and volunteers across the border; all children and staff are provided transportation to shopping sites, doctors’ appointments and educational programs. The financial committee proposed a stipend for David’s personal expenses. If a church or an individual seeks to augment this allowance, it will be transferred to him in a timely manner.
Dr. George Szilagyi, our overall European Liaison, passed away last September. Many of SARA’s friends and patients attended his funeral. He was the original dentist at the Good Samaritan home, using a squirt gun to alleviate the fear of dentistry. Thanks to American dentists and many friends, toothbrushes and toothpaste were the prizes for the initial exam. Eventually the M&M dental office was established, Drs. Donn Mettens and Alan Mikesell at the helm.
Dr. Oksana Jackson, SARA director and pediatric plastic surgeon of Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, visited the Children’s Hospital, see above, many times.over the last year. She established her own 501c3 foundation through which she secures equipment and volunteer pediatric specialists and surgeons to teach and perform extensive procedures at the Children’s Hospital.
Lana Sakash, our Ecumenical Director and Vice-President, has provided funds to the Roman Catholic Bishop in Transcarpathia. Bishop Luchok has continued the health and human service outreach programs which were established by his predecessor, Bishop Antal Majnek. One special location is the St. Michael’s Home(s), see above. Multiple family style homes, with individual parents, receive the benefits of religious education simultaneously health and physical care. Funds are are also distributed to the buildings, Liceum and equine activities; overall, the quality of life has been augmented through donations from Lana and her friends.
Marty Siegel, from St. Paul’s UCC, in Bellevue, Ohio, presented the congregation with a unique challenge. Shortages in food for the occupancies, became a reality as the number of staff was also increased. Marty asked the church, some were farmers, to provide funds for a sow, and her piglets at the Good Samaritan home, see above. They did in, also more funds augmented the cost of the animals. And what excitement!
Dr. Zsolt Hegedus, a SARA visitor to the US, was elected to Hungry’s office of Minister of Health recently. Zsolt studied at St. Elizabeth Hospital In Youngstown, Ohio and other facilities . If you followed the Hungarian election results, he was the official who showed his jubilation by dancing!!!
Many years ago, a little girl, with severe chest and spine deformities, presented herself with her parents and grandmother to Stephen Szilagyi at the Good Samaritan Home; After many surgeries, rehabilitation courses, she returned to her home in Transcarpathia. Valentyna Deak and her parents greeted visitors at their home, with joyful a hospitality. The surgeons and family physicians in Hungary provided free care. Most recently she was treated by Dr. Smolanka, as an adult in Uzhgorod. But…..this time it was the son of the famous neurosurgeon in Ukraine. The father shadowed Dr. Michael White at Cleveland Metro Hospital , as a guest of SARA.
Now that I have updated most of the events over the last few months, please be aware that the needs in our three sites continue.
Childrens vitamins, clothes, medicines and funds for continued health have been received from churches, to name a few, Beloit UCC(Bethel Hofer Clinic); Pilgrim UCC, Cuyahoga Falls ( Bob and Jo Kindel, directors), Living Water Association, Heartland conference, UCC, Presbyterian Women, Ashtabula, and North Kingsville Presbyterian Church. These are just a few of the contributing churches. There are sooooo many more kind folks and churches.
Please consider Valentina’s needs, the children at either care facility,children in the hospital. Pen-pals are still accepted for the children in every location.
We are no longer shipping good to this area. Please consider financial assistance to SARA, through:
Heartland Conference UCC
P.O box 1230
Worthington, OH. 43085
With love and gratitude,
Jeannie, President