(Erbil) Arbella Finds Khairotha An Assyrian Medical Society Patients Update

image0011.jpgJuly 29, 2009The Assyrian Medical Society is humbled to welcome 9 year-old Khairotha Esho, and 12 year-old Arbella Amanwel Korsh, along with their mothers Janait Khoshaba and Marleen Shlaymoon, today at Los Angeles, where they have been accepted by Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles, to undergo full medical treatments, psychiatric care, and social services to include English language classes.

The patients and their escorts first touched ground in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., where they were greeted by Mr. Wilfred Bet-Alkhas, Editor of Zinda Magazine. “All I supplied was a car. He stayed with them at Dulles airport for nearly 10 hours, took them into D.C. for a bit, took care of their paperwork as they entered the country, and ensured they were able to continue their journey to California,” stated Waleeta Canon from Washington, D.C.

At 9:15 this evening, AMS Chairman Albert Davidoo was singing patriotically to Ashur Bet-Sargis’s “Dashta D’Nineveh” song when he called to tell me that one of the patients, Khairotha, was sitting next to him. They had just arrived at LAX airport and already they were on their way to the Ronald McDonald House, a tradition that Albert has been following from the onset of this rescue mission. As I witnessed with Solen this past June, upon the arrival of every patient in Los Angeles, it has become customary to make Ronald McDonald the first stop, at which point the child will donate a small amount of money as a token of appreciation to its charity.

From there, the Assyrian community joined them at St. Mary Parish of the Assyrian Church of The East, where Father Gewargis lead the parishioners into special prayers, followed by a dinner and meet & greet.

In a telephone conversation with Albert, I had the privilege to speak with Khairotha; she had a raspy voice (same as mine) ~ and spoke in pure Assyrian. She bravely introduced herself: “ana eiwan Khairotha!” There is something to be said about hearing an Assyrian child utter the word “FREEDOM;” it is affirming. I welcomed her and told her that I, along with the rest of the Assyrian community in the United States, am her family. Khairotha’s tone gave me the impression that the child was indeed very tired tonight; needless to say, she has suffered through a lot.

As the Assyrian Medical Society continues its journey of rescuing patients, one child at a time, we are grateful for receiving Khairotha and Arbella from homeland Iraq, and thankful to be surrounded by so much support from everyone.

Both children are on schedule to be admitted at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles, on the 3rd of August.

Please join the Assyrian Medical Society in thanking Shriners Hospitals for Children – Los Angeles and its Vice-Chairman Mr. Albert Davidoo, the Ronald McDonald House, where the patients and their families are permanently housed, except on weekends when they are escorted by the Assyrian community of the Los Angeles area to attend church masses, and sometimes entertained at local restaurants and theatres. Washington, D.C.: Ms. Waleeta Canon, Mr. Wilfed Bet-Alkhas, and Mr. Michael Youash. All volunteer teams from Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles, and the Assyrian families who will be providing temporary housing for the patients and their families, prior to hospitalization, patient and family visits, transportation to and from the doctors and hospital visits, outside of the scope of the Shriners. Father Giwargis of St. Mary Parish of the Assyrian Church of the East for his leadership in the Assyrian community.

We are expected to have more updates in the following days and weeks. Until then, I leave you with the following quote from Chairman Mr. Albert Davidoo:

“When the giver enjoys giving more than the person who receives, the giver has enjoyed the ultimate happiness in life.”

To learn more about the Assyrian Medical Society, please visit www.assyrianmedical.org

~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA
Chicago Director
www.helentalia.com