Human Rights / Children's Rights Across the World
 
In International Co-operation - for Solidarity, Health & Quality of Life
2002. After a family's Christmas- & New-Year-misery
Jerden Sampang. Two year old Girl
In need of immediate Lifesaving Action.

January 6 - 14
 
Letter to:                         Back to Sept-Dec 2001-updates
BOES.ORG/Rotary GOL - Internet Lifeline
Why power was used against a mother in a terrible situation?
 
From: Stuart Patt, Non-Immigrant Visa Chief, U.S. Embassy, Manila
To: BOES.ORG
Subject: Jerden Sampang
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 00:06:20 +0800
 
Our aim is not to deprive a child of needed treatment
 
I am the Non-Immigrant Visa Chief at the U.S. Embassy Manila. I spoke on the phone at 10 pm this evening, Saturday, January 5, with Eden Sampang about the visa applications for her daughter, Jerden, and herself.
Ms. Sampang will come to the Embassy first thing Monday morning, Jan. 7, so we can reconsider the visa applications. If everything is in order and checks out, they could have their visas the same day.
Our aim is not to deprive a child of needed treatment, but, in all medical cases, we have to be sure that the treatment is paid for and provided without the need for public assistance in the US.
 
If there are other children being sent through Gift of Life, please send us advance notice of their visa appointment bookings and some background information about their cases so we can be better prepared for their applications.
 
Thank you.
Stuart Patt
Non-Immigrant Visa Chief
U.S. Embassy
Manila
 
What happened? Back to Jerden Updates September - December 2001 
 
Read completing update info, written by Donna S. Queto, Inquirer News Service
Link to INQUIRER Article 1(2), January 5 2002
Link to INQUIRER Article 2(2), January 5 2002
Link to INQUIRER Article 1(2), January 7 2002
Link to INQUIRER Article 2(2), January 7 2002
Link to INQUIRER Article, January 8 2002
The INQUIRER is one of the leading newspapers in the Philippines.
The links will open a new window on your screen.

 
There is Light        Update, January 7
 
Eden went to the US Embassy in Manila at 7AM where she met Stuart Patt, the Non-Immigrant Visa Chief. He immediately released Jerden's and Eden's Visas and was so thankful for what was written on today's issue of the Phil. Daily Inquirer (PDI). Eden thanked him for allowing them to enter the U.S. that will give Jerden a bright hope and future. She also extended BOES.ORG's and GOL's heartfelt thanks to the Visa Chief. Eden left the Embassy with tears of joy and gladness.
 
Eden proceeded to the Northwest Airlines Office where she was able to receive free round-trip plane tickets for her and Jerden under the NWA Kidcare Program. NWA will inform her on Thursday Jan. 10 of her departure date.
 
It was a long and exhausting day for Eden but she went home to Olongapo City with so much strength and a good news to tell to Jerden and her elder sister.
 
Thu, 10 Jan 2002 01:49:28 -0800 (PST)
Dear Bo Eric
I am a friend of Eden Sampang. Eden told me that you asked her to have someone who can keep you informed of everything that will happen to her and Jerden while they are in the US and she requested me to do it. She promised me that she will give me a call from time to time to tell me details of their travel and Jerden's condition.
 
I have been with Eden since the beginning of her struggle to save the life of her daughter and I'm willing to help her and the rest of the mothers out there with sick children. If one way to do it is to keep you updated of everything about Jerden and Eden while they are in the US, i will do it wholeheartedly.
Grace
 
Fri, 11 Jan 2002 17:04:43 +0800 (PST)
Today, Northwest Airlines (NWA) released the free round-trip tickets for Jerden and her mother, Eden. The Sampangs were accepted in the NWA's Kidcare Program through the help of the local Children's Heart Foundation. They are leaving Manila on January 14, Monday, at 6:00AM (Philippine time) and will arrive at the Newark International Airport on January 14 at 1:37PM (New Jersey time). Flight schedules/itineraries as follows:
 
Jan.14 Manila - Detroit 6:00AM - 9:45AM Fl.No. 0072W
Jan.14 Detroit- Newark 11:55AM - 1:37PM Fl.No. 0366W
 
Fri, 11 Jan 2002 22:00:17 -0800 (PST)
Dear Bo Eric,
I'm so pleased with the tings that are happening lately. Finally after everything we've been through, Jerden and I will be leaving for NYC for the fulfillment of my/our much awaited Jerden's operation. Indeed there is "light" at the end of the tunnel.....
 
My host family is also a filipino, they are Mr. and Mrs Romeo Abenoja. I am also happy for theirs willingeness in receivng/accommodating us.
 
Thank you!
sincerely, /Eden
 
January 14, 2002 01.00 +0800 (PST)
Eden and Jerden leaved Olongapo, at 11 PM, Jan 13. They will arrive to the airport 2 AM, Jan 14, for the flight to the U.S. 6 AM. Eden did cry on the phone. So hard for her to leave Jerdens sister, aged 5, behind. Jennifer, BOES.ORG representative, gave last minutes support and instructions.
 
January 14
Jerden Sampang and her mother Eden are now on board Northwest Airlines Flight no. 0366 going to Newark International Airport, New Jersey. They left Olongapo City at 11:00PM yesterday and travelled for three hours to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila. It was so painful for Eden to be separated from her eldest daughter, Joie, 5-yrs. old, who was crying when Jerden and Eden left her outside the airport with family friends and a relative. The Sampangs will be picked up at the airport by Andrew and Erica Topp and their host family, the Abennojas. They are expected to arrive at 1:37PM January 14, New Jersey time.
 
Next page - Heart Operation in the U.S.!  Mother's Diary.
 
The Convention on the Rights of the Child   by United Nations
 
Jerden Sampang in need of U.S. Visa for Lifesaving Surgery Article 23
1. States Parties recognize that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance, and facilitate the child's active participation in the community.

2. States Parties recognize the right of the disabled child to special care and shall encourage and ensure the extension, subject to available resources, to the eligible child and those responsible for his or her care, of assistance for which application is made and which is appropriate to the child's condition and to the circumstances of the parents or others caring for the child.

3. Recognizing the special needs of a disabled child, assistance extended in accordance with paragraph 2 of the present article shall be provided free of charge, whenever possible, taking into account the financial resources of the parents or others caring for the child, and shall be designed to ensure that the disabled child has effective access to and receives education, training, health care services, rehabilitation services, preparation for employment and recreation opportunities in a manner conducive to the child's achieving the fullest possible social integration and individual development, including his or her cultural and spiritual development.

4. States Parties shall promote, in the spirit of international co-operation, the exchange of appropriate information in the field of preventive health care and of medical, psychological and functional treatment of disabled children, including dissemination of and access to information concerning methods of rehabilitation, education and vocational services, with the aim of enabling States Parties to improve their capabilities and skills and to widen their experience in these areas. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.

Article 24
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.

2. States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures:

(a) To diminish infant and child mortality;

(b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health care;

(c) To combat disease and malnutrition including within the framework of primary health care, through, inter alia, the application of readily available technology and through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking water, taking into consideration the dangers and risks of environmental pollution;

(d) To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers;

(e) To ensure that all segments of society, in particular parents and children, are informed, have access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of breast-feeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents;

(f) To develop preventive health care, guidance for parents, and family planning education and services.

3. States Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children.

4. States Parties undertake to promote and encourage international co-operation with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the right recognized in the present article. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.

Article 25
States Parties recognize the right of a child who has been placed by the competent authorities for the purposes of care, protection or treatment of his or her physical or mental health, to a periodic review of the treatment provided to the child and all other circumstances relevant to his or her placement.

Article 1
For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

Article 2
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in this Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.

Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.

3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision.

Article 4
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international co-operation.

Article 5
States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights, and duties of parents or, where applicable, the members of the extended family or community as provided for by local custom, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for the child, to provide, in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognized in the present Convention.

Article 6
1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.

2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

Article 17     Media info in various languages by United Nations
States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media Link to the Inquirer-articles about Jerden Sampang, Jan 5, 2002 and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States Parties shall:

(a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29; Jerden Sampang

(b) Encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources;

(c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children's books;

(d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;

(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of articles 13 and 18.

 
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