Many of GMRF's requests to help Iraqi children are from our military. That's how we learned about Waad as one of our soldiers sent us an e-mail in October 2009. As overwhelming as the request was to take on multiple injuries as such, we consulted with our partners in effort and it was anonymously agreed that we needed to help him. Waad and his mother were brought from Iraq to the United States in April of this year.

Waad, 9, was burned on his face and tiny body; lost his arm, leg and eye in an explosion while coming home from school. He's undergone extensive surgery on his face and foot by our partners in effort, Long Island Plastic Surgical Group. Recently he received a prosthetic eye by Oculist Annette Krishoff, B.C.O. from Ocular Prosthetics, Inc. He also received his prosthetic arm and leg from the Shriners Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Waad has formed a family with our Haitian children and guardians, the goodbye hasn't been an easy one. Waad will return to us next year, as all our children do for follow-up. Please view or Summer Newsletter to learn more about some of the children we helped this year.

Earthquake Victims Get Help in Philly.
[Read Article] [View Video]

Haitian girl, 8, fitted for leg by Shriners in Philadelphia.
[Read Article]

A new beginning on Staten Island makes Haitian earthquake victim Sarah smile.
[Read Article] [View Video]

Initiated by the 8th grade students of The Resurrection Religious Education Program an effort was put forth by them, parents, teachers and the residents of Rye, that resulted in a day of fun, love, nurturing and a check made out to GMRF in the amount of $18,000. In spite of the language barrier, when it was time to say goodbye the Haitian, Iraqi and Congo kids embraced the American children and a quiet tear fell...It's all about love… Click Here to see the letter that circulated and made this miracle happen.
A special thank you to: Msgr. Patrick Boyle who gave the heads up (towards heaven) to the idea and in making it happen, Maria Curran who had the heart to orchestrate such a successful event, Tom Roche, Sue O'Brien, and Ellie Kelly. If we forgot anyone we will be sure to add you to this list of sincere thanks God Bless all of you!

Ride Sponsors: Lisa Murphy & Family, Nancy Neuman, Joan O'Meara, Send in the Clowns Amusement

Three Haitian children who survived the massive earthquake in January will now receive medical attention on Staten Island, thanks to the Global Medical Relief Fund. [View Video]

May 1st. Our founder, Elissa Montanti brought back the three kids she set out to help on her first visit to Haiti in February. After mounds of documents filed with Homeland Security, the Haitian government and two added trips back to Haiti in between, the fruits of our labor have bare ever so sweet. Sarah 8, Margarette, 17 and Chantal 17 are now here at GMRF facility. All three girls will be receiving prosthetic arms and a leg, by our Partner in effort Shriners Children Hospital, all at no cost.

They are joined with our three other kids also here for medical help from Iraq and the Congo. One of the beautiful things about GMRF is how a global family is formed and lasting friendships are made.
All 107 kids helped, with over six hundred follow up visits till age 21, have not only walked away with restored dignity and youth but a great understanding of their distant land.
We would like to thank Wyclef Jean for donating the Haiti group airline tickets. GMRF has many follow up and new children waiting to come to us. So his contribution of tickets was indeed appreciated.
Please check back on our website as we will keep you updated.

Wadd, from the Congo, Grace and Rousal both from Iraq enjoy the music concert put on by the talented students of Peterides School. The wonderful evening event was to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake, and a part of the proceeds will go GMRF. The three kids are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the three girls coming from Haiti for prosthetic limbs. One of the things that makes GMRF so unique is how the children come from all over the world and develop special friendships with the other GMRF children from different countries. They will all one day grow up and use their international friendships to make our world a more peaceful place.

Elissa and GMRF board member, Christina Frank, returned from Haiti with the intention of bringing back little 8 year old Sarah, 17 year old Channel and 17 year old Marguerite. Channel and Marguerite both lost arms as a result of the quake and little Sarah lost her leg. Although, due to paper work delays, the 3 children were not able to travel immediately, the logistics were put into gear and the three will be arriving within a matter of days, along with their guardians. While in Haiti, three other children were placed on the waiting list and will hopefully arrive this Fall. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our newest GMRF family members!

The Global Medical Relief Fund, a charity based in Staten Island, is helping bring young victims of the Haitian earthquake to the United States for medical treatment. [View Video]

Impact Your World highlights efforts to help survivors of the tsunami. [View Video]

An Air Force reservist's chance encounter with an injured Iraqi boy changed both of their lives. Read Article

Watch our soulful mission with some GMRF children, produced by Kenan Malkic. View Video

Mohammed Rasoul had his leg blown off in an Iraq car bombing. He can walk again, thanks to an American-based charity. He and his mother wish all Iraqis could see the United States in the same light as they do. "When I went to America, I saw such kindness and humanity," his mom says. [Read Article] [View Video]

The New Emotionally and Spiritually Captivating Documentary Film.... To Walk Without Fear profiles triple amputee Kenan Malkic, who at twelve years old stepped on a landmine and became the most injured civilian to survive the Bosnian war.Now twenty-three, Kenan lives and works with Elissa Montanti, the woman who single-handedly brought him to the United States for prosthetics and rehabilitation, and who founded a global charity in his honor. Together, Kenan and Elissa provide relief, guidance and kinship to children from war-torn countries the world over.Beginning as a personal journey to find the meaning behind his accident, Kenan discovers his own identity and significance as he becomes mentor and role-model to fourteen year old Ali Ameer, an Iraqi amputee with a similar background, and the latest child to be helped by Elissa’s small organization.To Walk Without Fear is an uplifting story about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. At the heart of this film is the transformation of deep tragedy into an opportunity for love and understanding to flourish between people, and the hope that this love offers a world in the face of mounting crisis. Kenan’s story is ultimately about the discovery of a new global family. [View The Trailer]