Lily's surgery a success!
In October of 2005, Safe Haven was in process of our first of a series of tours throughout Ghana, West Africa to provide HIV education and to see of possibilities of direct service programs that Safe Haven could undertake.
During the tour, Safe Haven stopped for a visit to the village of Humjibre in the Western Region. Safe Haven CEO Dave Butler has visited this village several times over the years, and presented HIV education to villagers on World AIDS Day 2004.
During our stay in October 2005, Safe Haven was introduced to a beautiful 14 year old girl named Lily. It was shared that Lily needed the second part of open heart surgery sometime in the next year, or she would most likely not live out the year. Due to the extreme financial situation Lily and her family is in, and the lack of resources in the village, Safe Haven was asked if we could find sponsorship for Lily to undergo this life saving operation.
Over the year we asked around, prayed, sent out letters, and just when it was looking as we would not be able to make this happen, our dear friend Richard Rossi and his family stepped up to the call. In a phone call in May of 2006, Richard and Dave were planning a visit to Ghana for August of 2006. Richard asked if there was anything his family could bring for the village to thank their hosts. At that point, Dave boldly shared about Lily, and without hesitation, Richard offered to pay for the entire surgery!!!
The pictures tell the rest, Lily and her family with her new family from America.
Richard, Lisa, Anna, and Willie Rossi.
Lilly and family with the Rossi family. Lilly in full recovery.
Lilly with Willie and Anna Rossi in Humjibre, Ghana.
Safe Haven thanks the Rossi family for once again supporting our mission, our calling, and all of the kids that Safe Haven serves! We wish the Rossi family and Lily and her family a long and loving relationship with each other.
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