Wednesday, March 14, 2001

In an effort to raise public awareness regarding the incredible humanitarian efforts occurring in our county, I would like to briefly outline the situation of Maike Vega.

Maike Vega, 7 years old, has lived in Fayette County for the last year and a half receiving serious medical treatment for severe injuries she received in her home country of Columbia, South America. Maike was just 1 year old when a burning candle (used for lighting during an energy shortage in her country) fell into her bedding, catching it on fire. She received burns on her face and head which have required seven to eight surgeries thus far. She wears a wig and will likely require additional surgery in the future.

She is one of several children receiving donated medical treatment from area physicians and hospitals. She has recently returned to her homeland where her hopes of education are minimal. Peeples Elementary (where she attended first and second grade) is raising funds in hopes of enabling Maike to attend school where she might not otherwise be able to do so.

Another grave situation in Fayette County involves a 9-to-10-year-old boy from Somalia. He and his family were attacked by a pack of wild hyenas. All of the family members were killed except him. He lost his left eye, his nose, and the left side of his face. He came to Fayette County with infections and many serious medical needs. He has been here about 10 months and is learning English.

Children's Cross Connection is a local non-profit organization that brings children to America who have otherwise near-hopeless medical situations if left in their homelands. The professionals involved in this effort donate their time and talent, hospitals donate their facilities and airlines provide transportation. Local families host these children during their treatment in America.

My goal is to provide attention and information about these children in hopes of providing for them a brighter future. Maike is an exceptional little girl, extremely outgoing despite her deformities, and deserves to have further education instead of passing the days in her village remembering her friends and classmates in second grade in America. (I am room-mom in her second grade class at Peeples Elementary.) Her single mother cannot afford to send Maike to school in Columbia.

Please consider looking into this story in hopes of raising awareness of this community effort and hopefully raising funding through Children's Cross Connection for Maike's education. If I can provide further information, I would be happy to do so. Children's Cross Connection may be contacted through Mrs. Rose Emily Bermudez, president.

Thank you for your time. Any efforts you extend are sincerely appreciated.

Penny Beatty

KPBEATTY@peoplepc.com

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