North Africa — As children, Susana and Salomon felt a strong inclination and call to serve the least fortunate, especially the unreached, with community development programs with a holistic perspective. They did that through activities that would benefit and increase the physical, spiritual, intellectual, social and economic health level of people of all cultures. Toward that end, they built bridges of acquaintance with different cultures and needs through research.
Who We Are
We are a Spanish non-governmental organization; our work is focused in North Africa, working among the neediest in the northern mountain region.
We offer whole health programs to children in rural areas. Our program currently includes home dental campaigns for children, care for abandoned newborn infants and special care cases.
We are always open to hearing from potential volunteers, especially those interested in our line of work, ethics code or those in health-related fields.
“Who’s Who?”
We think it would be good to introduce our president and his wife. They are Salomon and Susana Santana (Names are changed for security purposes).
Salomon was born in Cordoba, Argentina as the last of four brothers. He went to elementary, middle, high school and college in his hometown, graduating in 1977 as a surgeon, going on to specialize in internal medicine in Resistencia, Argentina. The next five years of his career were spent as an internal medicine physician in the area of intensive care and as director. He coupled his activity at the end of that period with a needs assessment for the implementation of medical programs and holistic development in other cultures using his family’s own local community and congregation as a platform. This was built with Susana, whom he knew from their teenage years; she was from Saenz Peña in the El Chaco province of northern Argentina, the second of six siblings. They were married in 1977 and have three children.
As children, Susana and Salomon felt a strong inclination and call to serve the least fortunate, especially the unreached, with community development programs with a holistic perspective. This was done through activities that would benefit and increase the physical, spiritual, intellectual, social and economic health level of people of all cultures. Toward that end, they built bridges of acquaintance with different cultures and needs through research.
In 1987 they moved to the United States to acquire the necessary formation to fulfill their burden and call, graduating with a Master’s degree. Before finishing school, in 1988 Salomon went to Spain to gather information and observe first hand the possibility of starting a “Whole Health” program in North Africa. In 1990, the Santanas settled as a family and along with many helpers, they took the first steps for what today is known as The Good Samaritan Medical Foundation.
Currently Salomon serves as the employee’s association president and interim executive director, as well as fulfills responsibilities as assisting doctor in hospitals in the urgent care and stabilization unit for patients in need of intensive care. Susana helps in various areas as related to hospitality and foundation personnel support.
Dar Rahma Crib Home
This last quarter, the “Dar Rahma” Crib Home in Chefchaochen has had a great deal of activity according to the information we have received from the people in charge. This past September, we received David, a baby who had surgery due to a congenital cerebral problem, We were told that things are well after the surgery; he just needs a new scan and has an appointment for December. The doctor who sees him has expressed the intention of adopting him; God willing she will continue to have that desire.
There is a new six-day old baby who was abandoned at the hospital but we still do not know his clinical history. Also, two sisters came in though only temporarily until the serious situation in their family due to diverse social problems and illness is solved.
(Names and places have been changed for security purposes.)
© 2008 Church of God World Missions
DISCLAIMER: Church of God and Faith News does not necessarily endorse or sanction all or any part of this news item.