Posts

Solar Lighting Committee Update

/0 Comments/in /by

There was a meeting of the electricity committee on 9/26/13.  The goal is to purchase lighting for some of the children’s homes so that they can finish their schoolwork in the evening without using kerosene, which is both dangerous and expensive.  The solar battery life is about five years.  Several committee members had information about different lights available, but of special interest is one company which is located in Nairobi.  This company would deliver the lights to the village.  The cost will be between $10 and $13 for each light.  Several different lights will be purchased before the next meeting so convenience, cost and brightness can be compared.

The first goal will be between 25 and 50d lights depending on cost.  Duncan will determine how the lights are distributed.  He may take 10 of 50 and donate them to families that have the most need.  Perhaps he will charge a $5 fee for the other lights so the monies can be used to purchase more lights.

Next meeting October 25th at the Emma Clarke Library – purchased lights will be compared at that time.  Duncan will attend.

Saline has arrived!

/0 Comments/in /by

Saline has safely arrived and is staying with her host family in Stony Brook ahead of her upcoming surgery. Now 12 years old, Saline suffers from a cleft palate as well as bout of flesh eating bacteria, which caused even more serious damage. Dr. Alex Dagum will lead the surgical team at Stony Brook University Hospital to repair the damage, the funding for which came from friends, family and generous donors over the past two years. A special thank you must go to the wonderful families hosting Saline and her teacher, Duncan, during their month-long stay in New York. 

Please join us in welcoming Saline to our community and wishing her well in her series of upcoming surgeries!

Our fundraising efforts are ongoing, and we appreciate any support you can offer. To donate, please visit our website at www.smilerescuefund.org

 

Smile Rescue Fund for Kids Bringing Saline From Kenya To Stony Brook

/0 Comments/in /by

I’m happy to say that the Kenyan government has granted Saline a medical visa and passport to come to here for surgery.  The Smile Rescue Fund for Kids supplied all financial records and legal documents necessary to the Kenyan consulate.   This was our last major obstacle.  I am in the process of buying airline tickets for Saline and her adult tutor, Duncan.  We owe a lot of gratitude to Esther, our Kenyan contact, for helping our cause.

This has not been an easy road for Saline.  As you may know, last winter we raised enough money to fund a plastic surgery team in Nairobi to perform the procedure.  Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful.  This was a devastating disappointment for Saline, her family and all of her supporters back here at home.  After that, the Smile Rescue Fund did not give up on Saline but renewed its efforts to bring her here.   We anticipate a series of complex surgeries over the course of three to six months with no guarantee of success.  However, we are very optimistic and very grateful to Dr. Dagum, his colleagues and Stony Brook University Hospital for donating their services to help Saline.  This will be her best opportunity for a successful result.  See article in Times Beacon Record Newspaper.

I am also very grateful to all of our wonderful supporters and fundraisers for their efforts in making Saline’s dream of living a normal life a possibility.

Based on Dr. Dagum’s and the hospital’s schedule, arrangements are being made to bring Saline and Duncan here at the end of May.

At this time, we are looking for volunteers to house Saline and Duncan for part, or all, of their stay.

Please forward this story to your facebook friends.  Hopefully with your help we will be able to help more children like Saline.  Without us, they have no hope.

Leon

An Update on Saline……

/0 Comments/in /by
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I received received an email from my contact in Kenya last week.  Our efforts to bring Saline to the U.S. for surgery have been blocked by her inability to get a visa and passport due to lack of a birth certificate.  For the past year, we have been appealing and diligently looking for a legal diplomatic workaround.  Finally, on January 9th, Saline will be granted an interview for a visa.  Arrangements have been made to transport Saline and her teacher Duncan to Nairobi for the appointment.
As the year comes to a close, on behalf of Saline, I want to thank all of our SRFK loyal friends and supporters.  Your support, contributions and fundraising efforts are well appreciated.   Once we get proper credentials, I will buy airline tickets for Saline and Duncan.  Due to the severity of her facial deformity, Dr. Alex Dagum and his medical team anticipate preforming a series of necessary surgeries and will require her staying here for approximately 6 months.
In the meantime, please forward this email to your friends and online contacts.  Tax deductible donations can easily be made via Paypal on our website.  www.smilerescuefund.org
I remain cautiously optimistic and hope to bring you good news soon.
Leon
Founder, Smile Rescue Fund for Kids, Inc.

$8000.00 Raised by Medical and Dental Residents in NYC Turtle Bay Happy Hour Fundraiser

/0 Comments/in /by

May 17th was a big day for Saline, a 12 year old girl living in the Kenya.  She will benefit from the money raised which will help fund her remaining surgeries.  The fundraiser was so successful that we will begin looking for another child to help.

Congratulations and credit goes to the event committee organized by Drs. Melanie Baum and Isaac Bar.

The follow are responsible for the successful fundraiser:

Melanie Baum

Isaac Bar

Micah Berman

Annie Brandenburg

Kevin Small

David Rothman

Elysa Kahan

Samantha Safier

Jodi Klempner

If anyone is interested in joining this great cause, please contact me directly:

Dr. Leon Klempner, Founder, The Smile Rescue Fund for Kids

leon@smilerescuefund.org  – Join us on Facebook for follow ups and new upcoming events!

Heather Raises $900. To Help Saline

/1 Comment/in , /by

Who said that one person can’t make a difference?   Obviously, Heather never got the memo.  This remarkable 10 year old girl decided she was going to help raise money to help another young girl that was not as fortunate.  Heather sold tee shirts, and obtain donations from her church, friends, neighbors and anyone else willing to help.  She emailed me and announced her lofty goal of $500.  Well, this week she came into my office and presented me with a check for almost $900.00.  On behalf of Saline, a great big “thanks you”.  I am amazed, what do you think?

“Boomer” Donates a Signed Football for Saline

/0 Comments/in /by

Boomer Esiason (former Terp QB) has signed a football to help raise money for Saline!  Come on down to the Smile Rescue Fund for Kids fundraiser this Sunday and you may go home with it!

Details:http://www.facebook.com/events/265185553533631/

Smile Rescue Fund for Kids

 

Come Join Us-Football Sunday for Saline

/0 Comments/in /by

Are you going to be in the city on Sunday, December 11th?  Join us at Bar 29, 3rd Avenue and 29th Street at 12:30 – 6:00 pm.  Stop by, have a beer and watch some football.  A $10.00 donation and your beer is on us!  We will be raffling off some sports memorabilia, 50-50, etc.  Most of all you will be helping a little girl in Kenya start a new life.  Bring your friends.  More details on Facebook. While you’re there “like us” to follow our progress.

News Update: Saline is Scheduled for her 1st Surgery

/0 Comments/in , /by

I just got an email stating that we have raised enough money to fund Saline’s first of three major surgeries!  She will be admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital on December 13th and her surgery is scheduled for December 16th.  Here is a little info about her surgeon.

Dr. Ferdinand Wanjala Nangole – Did his Plastic Surgery fellowship at the University of Cape Town (UCT), is employed by the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and practices Plastic Surgery in Nairobi. Ferdinand is a fellow of the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (EBOPRAS).  He is a member of the KNH multi-disciplinary microvascular team and is an Operation Smile volunteer surgeon as well as a Smile Train Partner.

The first surgery will focus on her cleft palate, lip and part of her nose.  This will make a big quality of life difference for Saline.  She will be able to eat without food coming out of her nose.  Her speech will improve and most of all, she will begin looking like other kids!

With your help we have raised enough for her first surgery, but we need more money for the next two.

Next fundraising event: Sunday December 11- NYC Bar 29 – Football Sunday

Click here for details on Facebook