S.I. Medical Fund Expands Efforts To Help Haitian Kids

Three Haitian children who survived the massive earthquake last year received medical attention on Staten Island due to the efforts of the Global Medical Relief Fund, and now the group is looking to expand its mission. Borough Reporter Amanda Farinacci filed the following report.

Eight-year-old Sara was buried under rubble in Haiti for two days after last year's earthquake crushed her home. Her dead mother lay on top of her. When the girl was finally rescued, her leg had to be amputated.

Sara was helped by the Global Medical Relief Fund, a Staten Island based not-for-profit which helps children who have lost limbs due to war or natural disasters all over the world.

Elissa Montanti, the founder of Global Medical Relief Fund, made three visits to Haiti to finally bring Sara and two other girls just like her back to Staten Island for treatment.

"I just never saw anything like it -- the desperation, these poor people. What they are enduring is unspeakable," said Montanti.

The girls were fitted for prosthetics in Philadelphia at a hospital that donates them for free. For three months, the girls then lived at Mount Manresa, where they underwent rehabilitation and also had some fun.

"We tried to do as much as we can. We went to [Six Flags] Great Adventure, we went to the beach. They loved the beach and the boardwalk, so we did that, and the city," said Montanti. "And they made friends, and they loved it."

The girls went back to Haiti in September and will return to the United States yearly for prosthetic check-ups. Montanti kept in touch with them.

"Whenever they can get to e-mail and telephone, I love all of them. They were the first three, so of course I'm more attached," said Montanti.

Sometime in March, Montanti is planning to head back to Haiti. She has got a waiting list with six Haitian children she is hoping to help by the year's end.

"What's happening is there's so many, and there's so many children," said Montanti. "And it just keeps growing, so that our waiting list consists of new children and our follow-up."

Montanti is currently in the process of looking for a larger home for her organization, where she can help the growing number of children she's trying to reach.

For more information about the Global Medical Relief Fund, visit gmrfchildren.org.

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[MintMickeyDotCom]

Elissa, I saw you on '60 Minutes' tonight. What you are doing is remarkable. Your efforts are heroic. It is inspirational to see you caring about others with such passion and commitment.

[VoxHumor]

I am thinking of the Iraqi boy featured in your story on 60 Minutes. In my lifetime, every president from LBJ to Obama has declared that we engage in war to free people from tyrants. Helping the innocent people who are harmed in these wars is a logical step in the mission to help people. Good people should always help the victims of war & natural disaster. Elissa Montanti, the doctors, the nurses, and all other volunteers involved with Global Medical Relief Fund are heroes.

[treasurector]

What a beautiful soul Alissa, and bravo to those hospitals and doctors. An inspiration and a great example. I hope there are angels watching with deep pockets.

[ojmoss]

Respond to this video...  Just saw Elissa Montanti on 60 minutes. What an amazing and inspiring women.

[ojmoss]

@SwiftPerennial88 Wow, you are a sick, sick person.