‘Hearts So Big’: N.C. group gets Afghan children free medical care

By Chyna Broadnax

MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE
Published: July 2, 2008

Zaman is a 16-year-old native of Afghanistan who now has higher hopes for a healthier future, thanks to the help of a local organization.

Lake Norman Children’s Relief has brought Zaman and 20 other Afghan children in need of medical attention to the United States for six weeks. The organization helps children by setting them up with about 100 medical professionals around Iredell County who have all donated their services at no cost.

The children’s last medical stop was at Donna Wike’s optometry office in Statesville.

The children played patiently in the office while they were taken one by one to be examined in a back room.

“When I come here, I feel better,” Zaman said of his visits to America.

He had a tumor removed from his sinus cavity while here last summer. The large tumor was pressing against his brain, according to his host mom, Carole McKay.

Zaman said he feels much healthier and wanted to come back to Statesville for a follow-up—medical attention that he would not have received in his hometown of Farah in Afghanistan.

Since being in the area, the children have had pediatric physicals, eye exams and dental exams. If necessary, some of the children will have follow-up medical work before the group leaves for home on Aug. 5.

Some of the kids are from shelters and orphanages, and others are chosen on the basis of medical needs, according to the group’s Web site.

This is the second year that McKay has taken in Zaman. She said that the children’s families need to find medical attention, and they see trips to America as opportunities to provide them with it.

Zaman’s surgery has made a huge difference and “saved his life,” McKay said.

“You fall in love with these kids immediately,” she said. “These children are so appreciative and hearts so big you can’t help but do everything you can for them.”

In addition to the support of physicians and families, 20 churches sponsored transportation for the children.