EMBASSY NEWSCENTRE

Media Advisories

American Tourists Help to Send Sick Ivoirian Orphans to the United States for Medical Care

(ABIDJAN) The United States Embassy will host a press conference on Monday, January 30, 2006, at 11AM, with an American tourist that has gone to extraordinary lengths to provide medical care for two Ivoirian orphans who have life-threatening medical conditions.  The director of the orphanage will share how this remarkable story happened.  Christi Manning, from Los Angeles, California, will explain how she and her friend Cori Stern found the two children in Bouake while looking for another orphan who had been adopted by an American woman.  Through the American humanitarian organization, Childrens’ Medical Mission, they have found doctors in the United States who are willing to perform life saving surgery for free and from family and friends have raised money to fly the children to the United States.

“This incredible story represents the best of the American ideals of taking the initiative to help others in need, no matter what their differences or distances from you,” said U.S. Embassy spokesperson Brett Bruen.  “The outpouring of support from these women, their friends and families, and the American doctors is an inspiring story for Americans and Ivoirians.”

Journalists interested in attending their press conference are asked to confirm their presence by 5PM on Friday, January 27, 2006 with Folli Teko, Information Specialist at the American Embassy on 22 49 45 99 or via email at tekofx@state.gov.

#   #   #