Almost every day, American news broadcasts cover illegal immigration stories, which, for the most part, only manage to spread suspicion, fear and anxiety. For those of us who don’t live near the border, it might appear that a war has been declared between US and Mexican citizens, but this isn’t necessarily the case. There are some wonderful examples of compassion happening along our southern border, even though we may never hear about them on the nightly news.

One of these wonderful examples is happening in Nogales, Arizona, where an American and Mexican medical staff is reaching out to poor, Mexican families with disabled children. The doctors and staff of St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic seem to be more concerned about children’s health and suffering than immigration issues:

“St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic does not allow an artificial barrier to block the hope and compassion it offers the poor. The clinic is a non-denominational, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide free medical treatment for disabled children of impoverished parents from Mexico.”

The clinic was founded in 1973 and is staffed by volunteers from the United States and Mexico. Among our border states, St. Andrew’s is the longest-running health project in the country. The clinic is funded primarily through donations, which is sorely needed considering the range of serious, pediatric, health issues they deal with.

“The children, from ages 1 month to 18 years, have a myriad of medical problems, from spina bifida to cerebral palsy, from Down’s syndrome to speech and hearing problems, and more. X-rays, laboratory tests, prescriptions, orthopedic devices, and hearing aids are just some of the aids these children need right now, or over time.”

The clinic practices medicine “the old fashioned way:” with hand written medical records and face to face conferences. Instead of using donations for computer equipment and office-software, they are used strictly for the treatment and care of the children. Every, first Thursday of the month, two-hundred and fifty sick children and their families come to the clinic looking for help and healing. None of these families will ever receive a bill for the treatment of their child.

“The estimated dollar value of time donated each year to St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic is approximately $1.5 million. On board most Clinic days are 2 orthopedic surgeons and several orthopedic residents and students, 5 pediatricians, 2 neurologists, 1 pediatric cardiologist, 6-8 medical students, 1 ophthalmology therapist, 1 equipment technician to fit wheel chairs, walkers, crutches, and other aids. Nearly 100 lay volunteers make the day run smoothly.”

In a time of selfishness and mistrust of strangers, it is a blessing to witness these physicians and lay persons who are willing to selflessly give of their time and money to treat and care for those who are in need. The doctors and staff of St. Andrew’s, as well as their contributors, are to be commended for their love, dedication and sacrifice, which blesses these children and their families!

If you would like to learn more or make a donation, then go to the site listed below:

http://www.standrewsclinic.org/about/about.htm

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