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Farewell Message from Duncan……

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I would have loved to see the sweet beginning of Saline’s much anticipated smile which also marks the end of the journey we have traveled for the last four years on a very rough and painful road,i have to leave since it is unavoidable .  Out of nothing and without any ray of hope,we started and stumbled.Little did we know that at some point God would bond us with selfless,loving and generous people who have now seen us this far.

On behalf of Saline,her mom,relatives,school community,friends,neighbors,my family and myself,i thank you all most sincerely.You denied yourselves and sacrificed to see her smile and integrate socially in the society.You’ve, indeed,inculcated in me values i would cherish for life.It’s great that a young girl like Heather raised funds to help one unfortunate girl from one corner of the world before she even saw her,Valeria of Loretta P.E school, among others, whose passionate efforts to raise funds really touched my heart.
My gratitude goes out to every person who came on board for her sake.I didn’t chance to meet everyone but let me mention a few. Tame’s family, Muller’s family, Nugent’s family, Jennifer’s family, Dr.Dagum and his team,Stony Brook Univ.Hospital, Diane Knoblach/ Loretta P.E School, Smile Rescue Fund For Kids, SmileTrain staff-Kenya, Coolsmiles Orthodontics, Africa project group.
Dr.Leon and his family remain an enigmatic unit,a miracle and a blessing throughout this journey.You have lit up our faces,created a difference in us and I pray you don’t stop with Saline. Many other needy  children are out there  ‘ONE AT A TIME’ and the list will grow.
Many people who know Saline’s journey to the USA ask for and about things not worth mentioning here but all we are pursuing is SALINE’S SMILE,exactly what we’ve been yearning for from the beginning
I appreciate your love,care and concern.Welcome to Kenya and share with us as you serve humanity across the globe.
Duncan

Update: Saline and African Project: Next Meeting – Oct 25th

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Saline092013Here is a quick progress update on Saline and the African Project to bring clean water, solar lighting and training for the challenged children in the village.

1) Saline has been undergoing a series of fluid injections in order to expand her skin in anticipation of her next surgery which has been scheduled for Monday, September 16.  Dr. Alex Dagum will perform an extensive series of procedures to close her facial defect with two grafts as well as create a nose using a rib graft.  The surgery will take place at Stony Book Hospital and take approximately 4-5 hours.   There will be two additional surgeries before she can return home.

2) Duncan has been excused from his teaching responsibilities by the Kenyan government for a three month period of time in order to accompany Saline.  In order to keep his job, he will have to return home at the end of September or early October. Unfortunately, due to the number of surgeries and the anticipated healing time, Dr. Dagum does not feel that Saline can return home until sometime in November.  This creates three dilemmas.  First, in order to legally operate on Saline, we need a local guardian.  Second, we need someone to accompany Saline back to Nairobi and the adult that travels with her may need to be her guardian.  Finally, we need a host family that is willing to supervise her recovery.  Volunteers and suggestions are welcome.

3) I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss our findings before Duncan returns home.  Save the date: Friday October 25, 7:00 pm, Emma Clark Library. I realize that everyone may not be available, however it is important to have representation from each committee so we can move forward.

Once again, your participation is greatly appreciated.

Getting to Know Saline and Duncan

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salineduncanSaline and Duncan have been here for about a month now and I know that many of you would like to know more about them.  Saline is a very sweet loving child who has been neglected most of her life.  Being born with a facial deformity in a small village has created many challenges for her.  As you would expect, her self-esteem is very poor and she rarely gives you direct eye contact.  Her father passed away last year and I’m told her mother is overwhelmed.  I’ve spent many hours talking with Duncan, her teacher, advocate and all-around great caring man, about life in the villages of Africa.  It was hard for me to believe that so many people are living without the basic necessities of life such as clean water or electricity.  They bathe and drink from a nearby river stream – not the most ideal sanitary conditions.  Much of the little money that most families earn at the market is spent on kerosene for occasional evening lighting.  Most children do not attend school regularly as they are needed for household chores such as gathering firewood for cooking, etc.  For those that do attend, the schools do not have enough teachers or books for all children. The children with physical or mental challenges are essentially neglected.

Duncan is married with five young children of his own.  He is well educated and very well spoken and lives in a village adjacent to Saline’s.  He met Saline in the classroom about five years ago and has become her surrogate father, friend and medical advocate.  It was through his efforts to bring Saline to the local Smile Train screening that I was first contacted.  He has taken time away from his family to bring her to all of her local hospital visits and embassy interviews.  He has become her legal guardian in order to accompany her on her journey here. None of this would ever be happening without Duncan.  Neither of them has ever been on an airplane or even in a private car before.

Despite all the challenges she faces, Saline likes to hold hands and is just a 12 year-old kid. We are not sure of her real age because she has no birth certificate. She likes to play outside and definitely has a good sense of humor.  Earlier this week Duncan, Saline and I took a long walk along the Port Jefferson harbor.  As we walked I looked over at Saline, gave her a light thump on the shoulder and smiled.  She looked up momentarily and then looked down and kept walking.  About 30 seconds later, I got a not-so-light thump on my shoulder as she looked up and smiled.  One step at a time!

www.smilerescuefund.com