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The Safiatu Story: God Uses Talents and Kindness of Strangers to Help Safiatu

By Larry Price, North Kingstown UMC

Published March 6, 2006

In a world of religious strife, the Lord has used the kindness and talents of strangers from many faiths to marshal a miracle in providing life-saving heart surgery for a Muslim child half-a-world away.  

12-year old Safiatu Bah from Sierra Leone, West Africa, finally had a second chance at life in March when surgeons repaired two faulty valves and a hole in her heart at a hospital in Israel.  Safiatu’s story can best be summed up in the words of that great hymn, Pass It On: “It only takes a spark to get a fire going … that’s how it is with God’s love.”

Safiatu’s condition was first diagnosed in the summer of 2005 at her home town of Kabala, Sierra Leone at the NarSarah Clinic, operated by Cranston, Rhode Island residents Daniel and Dorcas Kamanda. Dorcas also grew up in Kabala and founded CITA International, a charity that supports the clinic which provides basic health care in the remote rural town. Dorcas related Safiatu’s plight in the weekly bulletin of the North Kingstown, Rhode Island United Methodist Church where she and Daniel are members. The ‘spark’ had been struck.

(BEFORE AND AFTER MEDICAL TREATMENT – At far left, Safiatu in poor health as photographed in West Africa in November 2005. At near left, photo taken in Israel in February after weeks of medical attention and just prior to her surgery, shows a smiling and healthier Safiatu – a  striking difference. Safiatu is now recovering from surgery.) 

When 11-year old Samantha Dallas read the item, she told her mother Lisa, “Safiatu should not have to suffer because of where she was born.  If she lived here, she would have had surgery by now and would be playing with her friends.” Samantha’s caring wisdom touched her family’s heart. Lisa, mother of four daughters -- including Samantha’s twin sister Abbey, Carly 8 and Grace 4 – and her husband Jeff decided to do something about it.

The embers from the spark were starting to ignite.

Lisa began making phone calls, searching the internet, and sending emails in an effort to secure the life-saving heart surgery Safiatu needed. The North Kingstown UMC congregation began responding with donations, and The Rev. Beverly Stenmark, pastor of the church, approached her flock about using a few thousand dollars -- what was remaining from a fund that had been raised a few years ago to provide successful liver surgery for Fiona Halstead, another child in the congregation – as seed money to start a new fund to pay for Safiatu’s travel, surgery and medical care. The church’s administrative council agreed unanimously.

After months of difficult -- at times frustrating work, cutting through red tape and securing passports -- Lisa located, through Save A Child’s Heart foundation, a hospital willing to accept Safiatu for evaluation for the heart surgery. A doctor accepted Safiatu’s case despite the fact the most basic of routine heart examinations could not be secured in her native country. The fate of the Muslim child would now be decided by physicians at a hospital in the Jewish state of Israel -- if the congregation of a Christian church in Rhode Island could raise the money needed.

As the summer stretched into autumn and winter, the North Kingstown congregation raced against time and Safiatu’s deteriorating health to raise the estimated $25,000 needed for Safiatu’s travel, medical care and surgery. They made homemade bracelets and Valentine cards which were offered for donations at the church, in local schools, and at tables outside a local supermarket. The fund drive depended on the kindness of strangers. A man taking a large bag of coins to the supermarket to exchange for paper money at the store’s coin changer, instead gave the money to Safiatu’s fund. It totaled at least $80.

The fire was going.

By now, the local news media – newspapers and television stations – had begun picking up the story from church news releases and updates on the church website www.nkumcri.com.  The church secured enough donations from a generous public and congregation to pay for Safiatu and her mother to travel to Israel for a medical evaluation; but more money was needed. Jeff Dallas’ employer responded with a generous donation. The church’s youth group began planning work projects for sponsors.

An 8-year old boy in the congregation, Hudson Reynolds, came up with the idea to ride his bike for 16-miles to collect donations from sponsors. Hudson, his sister Miriah and mom, Melody, and Lisa Dallas and her twin girls, finished their ride on a cold February Saturday, just hours before a huge snow storm blanketed the state. A local toy store donated 10 per cent of its day’s receipts to the cause. Teachers at Hudson’s school donated their “casual dress Friday fund” and gave Hudson scores of balloons to mark the site of his ride. Another perfect stranger stopped by prior to the bike ride and said while he couldn’t ride with Hudson, he had a check for him. When the donations had been collected, Hudson stood before the congregation on a Sunday morning and reported he and his friends had raised over $1,700 for Safiatu.

The fire was now glowing. 

On February 7th, after enduring more than 16 hours of air travel connections, Safiatu finally arrived in Israel to undergo medical evaluation. Her condition was worse than expected. In addition to the hole in her heart, the young child had two faulty heart valves which were leaking. She was suffering from jaundice and weak. The congregation was worried, but could only wait and pray. The child’s fate was in the hands of skilled doctors and the Lord. Prayer, patience and serenity were needed as several anxious weeks passed with little news on the condition of a little girl whom all but two in the church congregation had never met, yet held close to their hearts.

Finally, in March, word came in an email to Lisa Dallas. Surgeons had successfully repaired Safiatu’s heart. Safiatu was recovering in intensive care, and while she faced a long recovery period, the first critical step had been taken. She would have the best chance of a full recovery.

The church is celebrating by sending “get well” cards to Safiatu, and encouraging people of faith everywhere to look for ways to serve the Lord by helping others. In her weekly sermon on the weekend following Safiatu’s surgery, Pastor Beverly Stenmark encouraged the congregation. “Each of us has the same 24 hours in every day,” she preached. “The world is quick to tell us how to fill those 24 hours, just as the world was quick to tell Jesus what was important from their perspective.  One of the lessons we can learn in the wilderness is not to let others tell us who we are and what is important. Let us use this time (Lent) to discover or rediscover our priorities in life.”

Yes, Safiatu’s story is best summed up in the words of that hymn, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it; you spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.” Go ahead, pass it on.

(Additional information: While celebrating the good news, the congregation continues to raise funds. More money may be needed for the extensive medical recovery costs. Donations are still being accepted through CITA International (Christ Is The Answer International), in care of North Kingstown United Methodist Church, 450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Updates on Safiatu may be found at www.nkumcri.com. Church phone number 401-294-9293. Emails: church: nkumc@cox.net or editor@nkumcri.com ; Lisa Dallas: LJDallas@cox.net. )

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BIKE4AHEART RAISES OVER $1,700 FOR SAFIATU BAH

Published Sunday, February 19, 2006

8-year old Hudson Reynolds stood up before the start of worship on Sunday February 19, took the microphone in his hand, faced the congregation, and calmly listed the donations he and his friends had raised on their 16-mile bike ride for Saffaitu Bah's heart surgery one week ago. Riders in the Dallas family raised $165. The Learning Express Toy Store on Frenchtown Road contributed $200. Another $485 in checks was mailed to Hudson's home and others from a generous public sent $803 to the church. Hudson totaled the amount at $1,673 and the congregation erupted with applause of appreciation and admiration. More donations are still coming in and by the end of worship, the amount had grown to over $1,700. A simple idea for a bike ride offered by an 8-year old boy had blossomed into a wondrous event. UPDATES ON Safiatu

Photos above, Hudson Reynolds, front row third from left, at the start of his 16-mile bike trip to raise funds for Safiatu Bah's heart surgery. Hudson was joined on the ride by (left to right, front row) Samantha Dallas, Hudson's sister Miriah Reynolds and Abbey Dallas. Back row, Hudson's mother Melody Reynolds and Lisa Dallas, mother of Sammy and Abbey. The balloons were donated by Hudson's school, Stony Lane Elementary. Teachers at the school also donated money to the Safiatu fund. At the start of today's ride, Hudson was close to his $1,000 goal. (Photos Saturday February 11, 2006)

Pass It On: God Uses the Kindness of Strangers to Make Miracles Happen
By Larry Price

Published Saturday, February 11, 2006

8-year old Hudson’s Reynolds’ email address (thereynoldsbarn@cox.net) in box has been working overtime, accumulating messages of support and promises of donations. His Stony Lane Elementary School presented him with 500 balloons. Teachers at the school donated their weekly “Friday casual dress” fund to his cause. A local toy store owner pledged 10% of today's business to Hudson's ride. And before the start of his 16-mile bike ride to raise $1,000 to help pay for Safiatu Bah’s heart surgery, a man and his daughter showed up to tell him they would not be able to ride, but they had a check for him.

The outpouring of kindness from friends and perfect strangers has been astounding and will likely allow the youngster to reach his goal. At the start of his ride today, Hudson said he had pledges amounting to close to $800.

Hudson, his mother, Melody and sister Miriah were at the Kingston Amtrak station early Saturday morning, braving the chilly temperatures to erect an arch of colorful balloons to mark the start of the bike4heart ride along the Kingston Bike Path. Also there, Lisa Dallas and her daughters, Abbey and Samantha. Lisa has been devoting herself to the mission of providing Safiatu with life-saving heart surgery. Spurred on by her daughters and husband Jeff, Lisa has spent months arranging the necessary travel papers and securing a hospital and surgeons in Tel Aviv, Israel where Safiatu is being evaluated to determine if they can save her life with surgery to repair a hole in her heart. The 12-year old girl from Sierra Leone, West Africa arrived in Tel Aviv earlier this week after enough funds were raised to put the miracle in motion.

The North Kingstown United Methodist Church congregation has been making home-made Valentine cards, bracelets, and crafting work projects to raise the estimated $25,000 in donations needed to provide for Safiatu’s travel, surgery and extended medical care. Lisa Dallas said this morning the effort is within striking distance of its goal.

The church earmarked a special fund for the mission and members of the congregation have donated generously. Thanks to local television and newspaper reports, the public has responded with much needed donations to help make the fund raising successful.

The Lord truly does touch hearts. It has been a loving time since church members Daniel and Dorcas Kamanda first appealed for help to save Safiatu months ago. In the words of that great hymn Pass It On, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it.”

Donations for Safiatu are still being accepted. Checks to ‘CITA International’ should be mailed to the North Kingstown United Methodist Church, 450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852.


 

You Got to Love Hudson’s Spunk

Published February 10, 2006

While many Rhode Islanders will be racing to the supermarket Saturday morning to buy bread and milk for the coming snow storm, 8 year old Hudson Reynolds will be racing his bicycle for about three hours and 16 miles along the Kingston Bike Path to help save a girl’s life.

Hudson’s courageous and selfless motivation has been detailed in two local newspapers this week. You got to love this kid’s spirit. His idea to ride is the tinder that has ignited sponsors and donations to Safiatu’s cause. The 10 AM start should allow Hudson to finish the 16 miles before that snow storm hits Saturday night. His mother, Melody Reynolds estimates it will take about 3 hours to complete the 4 cycles of 4 miles each back and forth from the train station along the bike path.

Five hundred balloons will mark the spot at the Kingston, RI Amtrak station where Hudson begins his bicycle riding quest to raise $1,000 for the Safiatu Bah fund. Safiatu is the 12 year old West African girl who is being evaluated at a Tel Aviv hospital for life saving surgery to repair a hole in her heart. The girl was flown to Israel earlier this week after North Kingstown United Methodist Church raised enough money to make the trip possible. The church congregation has been making donations, gathering donations, selling hand-made Valentine cards and bracelets to scrape together the estimated $25,000 needed to ensure Safiatu’s travel, surgery and medical care.

Hudson and the other families who make up the congregation of the church have never met Safiatu, but a strong bond has developed between the little girl and the church members. The church heard about Safiatu from church members Daniel and Dorcas Kamanda of Cranston who operate a clinic in Sierra Leone where the girl was first treated. Lisa Dallas, her husband Jeff and four girls took on the mission to help Safiatu and led the effort by the church which is nearing its goal.

Donations to help Safiatu in the form of checks may be made out to ‘CITA International’ and mailed to North Kingstown United Methodist Church, 450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852.

Safiatu ARRIVES SAFELY IN TEL AVIV

Published February 7, 2006

This is the Day that the Lord has Made, Let us Rejoice and Be Glad in It!

            I write to you this morning with great news.  Safiatu Bah has arrived in Tel Aviv.  For anyone who isn’t aware, Safiatu is the 12 year old child in Sierre Leone whom we have been trying to help have the heart surgery that is essential to save her life.  I announced Sunday morning that Safiatu was in the air traveling from Sierre Leone to Ghana. From Ghana she was to fly to Ethiopia and then on to Israel, where she was to arrive Sunday night.  We had some anxious hours when we learned that she and her mother had not arrived in Tel Aviv.  We learned that there had been a problem with a plane and the Ethiopian Airlines had put them up in a hotel overnight. 

             The e-mail below is from Lisa Dallas letting us know that Safiatu and her mother have arrived safely in Tel Aviv along with 4 other children who are traveling to SACH (Save a Child’s Heart).  Thank you for all your prayers and continue, please, to hold Safiatu and her mother in prayer as the doctors in Tel Aviv evaluate Safiatu and we pray are able to perform the surgery that we believe she needs.  Safiatu is a bit of a mystery to the doctors right now, because she has not had the required diagnostic tests (echocardiogram, etc) that they need to have since there is no place in Sierre Leone where this test could be performed.

             This raises the additional concern of the lack of medical equipment available in the area.  This is a bigger question that needs to be addressed as well.  We continue to try to raise money for Safiatu’s surgery.  If you would like to help in that area, please make checks out to “CITA International” (Christ is the Answer) and send them to us at the church – North Kingstown United Methodist Church,  450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852 (or put them in the offering plate on Sunday). 

             Thank you everyone for your prayers and efforts to help this young girl have a chance at life.

 Blessings,

Pastor Beverly

EMAIL FROM LISA DALLAS

Safiatu arrived in Tel Aviv tonight at 10:30 our time.  It was 5:30am in Israel.  She was met at the airport by a doctor from ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ and the house mother who will be caring for her before and after the operation.  She and her mother met up with 4 Ethiopian children that were traveling to SACH while overnight in an Ethiopian hotel.  They took the journey from Ethiopia to Tel Aviv together with a SACH representative and a mother of one of the Ethiopian children.  They will spend their time together which must be a god-send for this 12 year old girl!

When Laura, the house mother, called to say they arrived safely, she said the doctor felt Safiatu was in good condition.  They were washing now and going down for breakfast.  Then they will go to the hospital to start testing.  Testing should be done by the end of the week.  We have a phone number for the house that we can reach Safiatu and her mother at any time.  Dorcas was able to talk to Safiatu last night while they were overnight in Ethiopia.  She was in good spirits but ‘tired’.   Who would not be after traveling since Sunday morning? 

It has been a very long journey for Safiatu and her mother but God has provided for them at each step.  From the helicopter that was not operating in Sierra Leone to bring them to the airport…. to the plane problem in Ghana that caused a change in flights.  He has provided and we pray that He will continue to do so.

Blessings,

Lisa Dallas

'ROLLER-COASTER RIDE OF HOPE' PICKS UP SPEED TO SAVE Safiatu

Published February 4, 2006

Lisa Dallas and her girls were still beaming with joy Saturday morning from the news Friday that Safiatu Bah would be leaving her home in Sierra Leone, West Africa early Sunday morning to begin the 14 hour trip to a Tel Aviv hospital to be evaluated for her long-awaited heart surgery. The Dallas family and North Kingstown United Methodist Church members Melody Reynolds, her son Hudson, and Charlene Price were at the local Stop and Shop Supermarket to greet pre-Super Bowl shoppers and offer bracelets for a $1 donation in the continuing fund raising effort to pay for Safiatu’s travel, heart surgery and medical care.

One shopper who came to the supermarket to have a big pile of coins converted to paper money at the store’s coin changer, decided instead to offer the donation to the cause. In three hours, the bracelet and lollipop gifts netted over $200.

The 12-year old Safiatu has a hole in her heart and needs the surgery to save her life. The Dallas family has led the effort by the local church to raise the estimated $25,000 needed to help Safiatu.

What will happen when Safiatu arrives in Tel Aviv is unknown. Doctors at the Israeli hospital must evaluate her condition to determine if she is able to undergo the surgery, but after months of prayers and hard work, the first step in the effort will be realized when the little girl arrives in Tel Aviv.

The church first learned of Safiatu’s condition last year when church members Daniel and Dorcas Kamanda of Cranston, RI met her at the medical clinic in Sierra Leone which the couple operates. The church earmarked a special fund to help raise the money needed for the medical care. Donations from church members, a corporate sponsor, and a giving public, and numerous fund raisers like the Saturday bracelet sale have brought the fund in striking distance of its goal.

Melody Reynolds’ son Hudson, 8 years old, will do his part on February 11 when he cycles the 16-mile Kingston bike path for donations in behalf of Safiatu. Other youth of the church are planning work projects around the church on February 25 and 26 to raise sponsor contributions. A continuing sale of home-made Valentine cards has blossomed far beyond expectations.

“Much more came out of this than getting a little girl treatment that she needs to live,” says Lisa.  “Miracles occurred daily in all parts of the world, including our local schools, church and neighborhood. It's been a 'roller-coaster' ride of hope."

Your tax deductible donations can be made by writing a check to “CITA International” and mailing to the North Kingstown United Methodist Church, 450 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852.

More on the Safiatu Bah story

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