International student from Afghanistan Bashir’s daughter regains health with help of YU
Help offered by YU Medical Center, Korean Red Cross, Sooryeon Rotary Club, etc.
Visited YU and thanked in Korean... Wrote letter of appreciation
“We will continue our ties with YU and Korea that gave new life and hope to our family”
[May 11, 2018]
<Bashir family studying at the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul and faculty members>
(From first on right Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul Kim Dean Gi-soo, Mr. Bashir, second from left Farzanah)
“I never imagined that while studying in Korea I would be able to receive treatment for my sick daughter. Our entire family found happiness thanks to YU.”
A 13-year-old girl with a disability from Afghanistan made news after regaining her health after an operation in Korea with the help of various institutes including YU. This is the story of the daughter of Mahmoodi Mohammad Bashir (31), who is currently studying at the YU Park Chung Hee School, and her name is Mahmoodi Farzanah (13).
Miss Farzanah broke her leg during a C-section when she was being born in Afghanistan in March of 2005. After birth, she had complications such as osteoporosis and recurring fractures, but she was unable to receive proper treatment and ended up with a disability in her hip joint. Doctors and medical professionals recommended surgery and treatment in Afghanistan, but she was unable to receive the proper treatment due to various circumstances including financial difficulties. And then in March of last year, her father, Bashir, was selected as a scholarship student for the YU Park Chung Hee School official development aide (ODA).
Mr. Bashir said, “I felt very sorry to leave my disabled daughter to come study in Korea. Even while studying, I was always worried about my daughter. I had a good relationship with YU professors and employees and we talked a lot, and one day I talked about my daughter. It was more than enough to just listen to me and give their console. When I later learned that they sought for help for daughter, I was very thankful.” After this statement, he took a long pause.
Professors and employees at the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul who learned about this looked for ways to give help. In January, a miracle happened when someone made a phone call to YU offering help. In fact, numerous institutes decided to help. The YU Medical Center, Korean Red Cross, and the Daegu Sooryeon Rotary Club notified that they would provide full costs for treatment.
On March 26, Farzanah received a bone physeal plate suppression operation at the YU Medical Center. The operation was successful and she is currently recovering. Farzanah said, “I always missed my father who was studying in Korea. I never even imagined that I would be able to receive an operation in Korea where my father is studying. I want to run around and play with father now.”
In the afternoon of May 10, Farzanah visited the YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul. She wanted to express her thanks to everyone who helped her. She said that she wanted to thank them in Korean. Farzanah, who came healthy, said thanks in quite accurate Korean. She also gave a letter that she wrote over night. Her appreciation to everyone who made it possible including YU Medical Center and the YU professors and employees was filled in this letter.
YU Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul Administration Officer Choi Jung-ho said, “I didn’t expect her to thank us in Korean. I think this was the most fulfilling day while working at YU. I hope that Bashir’s family will have great memories about Korea when they return to their home country.”
Bashir stated, “I am already excited about the new life that I will live with my healthy daughter once I graduate and return to Afghanistan. I hope to continue my relationship with YU and Korea that gave new life and home to our family.”
Meanwhile, Farzanah was released from the hospital in April and is currently receiving treatment as an outpatient. She is scheduled to return to Afghanistan in mid-May. Her father Bashir is scheduled to graduate from the YU Park Chung Hee School in August of this year. YU Medical Center also agreed to provide support for continuous tracking and monitoring considering the fact that Farzanah is still growing. Even after Farzanah returns to Afghanistan, treatment will be provided remotely by taking x-rays in Afghanistan and sending the documents and data to the YU medical staff.
