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November
7, 2001
Our
volunteers have recieved many letters from families that have been
helped by the Rotary Gift of Life Program. Deshi is an Islamic woman
from Chechnya. Her son Ayub was the first child operated on as a
direct result of the 1,000-Mile Run two years ago at St. Christophers
hospital in Philadelphia. She had lost a 9 month old daughter as a
result of the war in Chechnya. They fled their homes and are living
in a neighboring community as refugees.
When
he boarded the airplane to come to America, Ayub wanted to know
where the holes were in the bottom of the plane where the bombs come
out of. Volunteers from the Russian Gift of Life, from two Orthodox
Christian Churches in New York and New Jersey, and Rotarians in New
York and New Jersey, embraced Deshi and Ayub during their stay here
for open-heart surgery.
We
create in the families that we help, ambassadors of peace. They
remember a people who for no apparent reason at all, reached out to
touch their child and breath life into them when there was no hope
for help. Their hearts beat for America. Our hearts, together with
theirs, beats for World Peace.
God
Bless America!
Robbie
Donno
Chairman |
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On
September 15th, Deshi wrote the following letter to those volunteers
that helped Ayub get a second chance at life. |
"My
dear and esteemed Father Leonid, Mimi, Zhenya and Aleexander
Alexandrovich, Natasha Lucin, Volodya and Valya Kowalenko, Diana,
Rachel, Jessica, Svetlana, Father John, Anna Novitzky, Larisa,
Joseph, Helen, Warren and in your persons, all Americans;
Accept
sincere condolences from our family for all those whose life was
tragically cut short in this monstrous catastophe. Believe me, we
share very deeply your pain, because for believeres (no matter what
religion they confess) there is no such thing as pain that is
foreign. Because, thanks to your efforts, your generosity of your
soul, your prayers, with God's help, the doctors gave Ayub a gift of
a second life. I came to love all of you, and remember you forever.
During
these difficult days for America, I grieve as you do for the
innocent victims who have been killed, I feel your pain and share it
with you. I weep with you, I am with you, I pray for you. And believe
me, if my life had been required to prevent this tragedy, I would
have been ready to give up my life without hesitation.
I
very much hope and very much want and always ask God that all of you
may be safe and sound.
We
kiss you and embrace you!
Ayub,
Islam, Deshi |
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