Friday, September 19, 2008

Wanted: Host Family for Christine


We’re reaching out to Los Angeleños out there. From Menchu Sarmiento, that rare combination of literary writer and social worker, comes this appeal:

Maria Christine B---- (DOB 2003 Dec. 23) has a heart defect called PATENTDUCTUS ARTERIOSUS with aortic valve stenosis. She also has a cleft lip and palate. Her father is just a tricycle (rickshaw) driver who earns US$5(P250) on a good day. He simply cannot afford to pay for the heart surgery Maria Christine needs so that she can grow up and thrive, and also get her cleft lip and palate repaired. She's been waiting to go to Los Angeles for the past year to have free surgery as a MENDING KIDS US CareProgram patient (please see www.mendingkids.org), but first, we need a volunteer medical host family for her as she will be alone. Philippine Airlines Foundation will bring her over, and one of her host parents mayescort her back to Manila when she is all better. If you want to be part of the miracle to give Maria Christine the chance to experience life in all its fullness, please call Mending Kids: (661) 298.8000 or the undersigned.

Ma. Carmen "Menchu" Aquino Sarmiento, Executive Director, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Foundation, Gate 1, PAL Maintenance Base Complex, Andrews Avenue, Nichols, Pasay City 1309 Phone: (632) 851-2980; (632) 855-8000 extension 2563Mobile: +63917.823.1427

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