Salamat Ullah a very special child came all the way from Pakistan. Salamat had a rare kind of tumor – Only the 3rd reported care in the world. He was operated in Texas Children Hospital and the research was conduced by Dr. Hollier and his team on the tumor
Salamat was greeted at Lahore airport by a caravan of his friends and relatives. I watched as a tearful and elated Hashmat Effendi presented Salamat to the people who had entrusted her with their son and his future nine months ago. She came through on all of her promises and our team was received with flowers, tears and long embraces.
TWe had plenty of time to discuss his fears and expectations during our 24 hour journey to Pakistan. Salamat was eager to see his parents and return to his life in Pakistan. He had spent the last eleven months in The United States, receiving medical treatment under the care of The House of Charity. Salamat talked to me about the important math and English skills he was able to learn during his time at the healing home by his teacher Ms. Gloria. He felt empowered by the knowledge and it sparked his desire to complete his education. “I’m going to teach my brothers English too.” The future was suddenly bright for Salamat; he had aspirations for himself and his family. After defeating his physical deformity, no task seemed out of reach.
At the airport, Salamat said goodbye to the woman who had been his teacher, his advocate, and his best friend during his nine month journey through treatment and surgery. Hashmat Effendi provided young Salamat with something more valuable than medical treatment. She taught him that it was okay for him to hope. Salamat left The House of Charity with a renewed spirit; he knew that his life was full of purpose and that his contribution to his community will be an important one.
