Save a Child’s Heart extends life-saving support to Ethiopian Child, pushing past pandemic limitations
Photo Credit – Save a Child’s Heart
Despite the travel limitations caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, this year has been no different, and on Friday, six-year-old Benjamin from Ethiopia landed in Israel for urgent cardiac treatment.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, SACH has continued in its mission of saving lives, conducting its activities in accordance with the Health Ministry’s guidelines. This work was made more difficult by the implementation of the “closed skies” policy, and ultimately the shutting down of Ben Gurion Airport in January, with the aim of curbing the spread of COVID variants. In spite of these restrictions, SACH continued to work to save lives, providing the Ministry of Health with requests on behalf of a number of critically ill patients who require immediate treatment.
Benjamin arrived in Israel on Friday. Although not part of the group emigrating to Israel, he was able to join a Jewish Agency immigration flight from Ethiopia. Today he is hosted at the organization’s Legacy Heritage Children’s home, a place for Benjamin to be enveloped with warmth and love during his medical treatment and stay in Israel. He is currently undergoing an initial examination which will enable doctors to determine the appropriate treatment and next steps.
Sylvan Adams, a major donor to SACH, noted, “Even during this infernal pandemic, SACH has continued to provide lifesaving surgeries to Israeli, Palestinian, and foreign children from underprivileged backgrounds, despite the obstacles of a closed border. SACH’s work exemplifies the big heart of Israel, and the ancient Jewish imperative of ‘Tikun Olam’, improving the world. A big thank you to the Government of Israel for allowing these special travel exemptions so that children like little Benjamin can have a chance to live a normal life. Several Ministers of our government have visited SACH and know first-hand about the talent, skill, and devotion of our surgical teams. I am proud to contribute to this special work.”
The image of Benjamin walking down the aeroplane steps at the height of a pandemic, captures the essence of Save a Child’s Heart. The organization expresses its gratitude to the Ministry of Health, Jewish Agency, Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Regional Cooperation and Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, for their exceptional and prompt responses to this request to save a young life.
