Date and Time: Sunday, October 13th, 2024, from 6:00PM to 9:30PM
Venue : Maison Internationale des Associations; Rue des Savoises, 15, 1205 Geneva
On Sunday, October 13, 2024, Children’s Right to Healthcare will host a heartfelt and intimate evening in honor of the children of Gaza who have been treated in Geneva. This gathering is designed to be a warm and personal event, offering attendees the chance to reflect on the journeys of these children, who were brought to Geneva alongside their mothers for critical medical care. It will be a unique opportunity to hear their moving testimonies firsthand, as they share their experiences of hope and healing. The evening aims to foster a sense of solidarity, compassion, and connection, as we come together to celebrate the resilience of these young lives and the vital work CRH continues to do for children in need.
Children’s Right to Healthcare (CRH) is a humanitarian organization founded by Dr. Salti, a renowned surgeon-urologist based in Geneva, with a commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality healthcare. For nearly 15 years, Dr. Salti has dedicated his life to global health, spearheading humanitarian missions across some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, including Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Madagascar. These efforts have not only provided critical medical care to underserved populations but have also equipped local medical professionals with advanced skills and knowledge, ensuring sustainable healthcare improvements in these regions.
The Vision Behind Children’s Right to Healthcare
Dr. Salti’s passion for children’s healthcare stems from his deep empathy and concern for the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable members of society. His career in medicine has always been accompanied by a parallel commitment to humanitarian work. Through his involvement in several international humanitarian organizations, Dr. Salti saw firsthand the challenges that children in conflict zones and impoverished areas face in accessing essential medical care. This experience solidified his belief that healthcare is a fundamental human right that should be available to all children, regardless of their nationality, religion, or socio-economic status.
It was this vision that led to the founding of CRH. After working with various humanitarian groups, Dr. Salti decided to establish his own NGO to further his mission of ensuring healthcare for children. CRH’s primary focus is on providing life-saving medical treatments and fostering medical expertise in regions where healthcare is either inaccessible or insufficient. Beyond treating patients, CRH trains local doctors, empowering them with the latest medical technologies and techniques to improve the overall healthcare infrastructure in their communities.
A Mission Interrupted and Reinvented
In October 2023, Dr. Salti was set to embark on a pivotal mission under the CRH banner. He had planned to travel to Gaza, a region where he had already conducted numerous humanitarian missions. However, the outbreak of conflict on October 7 changed the course of history. The escalating violence in the region made it impossible for CRH to carry out its planned mission. Rather than accepting defeat, Dr. Salti responded with resilience and determination. If he could not bring his medical services to the children in Gaza, he would find a way to bring the children to him for treatment. This audacious and compassionate pivot in strategy exemplifies the core values of CRH: an unwavering commitment to the well-being of children, no matter the obstacles.
The Evening of Solidarity and Reflection
To share this powerful story and raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian mission, CRH organized a special evening in late 2023. This event aimed to bring together supporters, donors, and anyone who believes in the fundamental right of every child to healthcare. The evening was more than just a fundraising effort; it was a celebration of the values that drive CRH—compassion, dignity, and the right to health for all children.
Attendees were given the opportunity to hear firsthand from families who had been directly affected by the conflict. These testimonies painted a vivid picture of life before and after the conflict, highlighting the devastating impact it had on children and families alike. Yet, amidst these difficult stories, there was also a message of hope—the hope of rebuilding lives and looking toward a brighter future.
In addition to the emotional testimonies, the evening also featured a Q&A session with Dr. Salti, allowing attendees to gain deeper insight into the work of CRH and the challenges they face in providing healthcare in conflict zones. Dr. Salti shared his experiences and detailed the practical steps CRH is taking to address these challenges. The event also included a presentation of CRH’s past and ongoing missions, as well as future projects that the organization has planned, particularly for the children of Gaza.
Looking to the Future: CRH’s Gaza Project
One of the key moments of the evening was the unveiling of CRH’s ambitious future project for the children of Gaza. Although the ongoing conflict prevented CRH from launching its first mission in the region, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to the people of Gaza. The new project, which will be initiated as soon as a ceasefire is declared, is designed to provide long-term healthcare support for children who have been affected by the violence. It represents a major undertaking for CRH, one that reflects the organization’s commitment to ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, can access the medical care they need.
A Night of Hope and Human Connection
The CRH evening event was not only an opportunity to share stories and raise funds but also a moment for human connection. The shared values of compassion, humanity, and the right to health brought everyone together. The event featured a delicious oriental meal, cultural entertainment, and a sense of solidarity among those present. The evening also served as a reminder of the immense power of collective action and the difference that each person can make when united by a common cause.
As CRH looks to the future, the organization remains committed to its mission of providing healthcare to children in the world’s most challenging environments. The evening served as a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, hope and compassion can prevail, ensuring that the right to healthcare becomes a reality for all children.