FOURTEEN-year-old Akewak Behailu Wondimu came to the US from Ethiopia in May without any family, a life-threatening heart condition and barely speaking English.
He left nearly six months later with a healthy heart, an American family, school friends and speaking nearly fluent English.
Dr. Rick Hodes, medical director of Ethiopia for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, arranged for Akewak to come to Denver and receive surgery at The Childrens Hospital for his heart and spinal conditions.
Dr. Hodes, who escorted Akewak to and from the US, is an American who provides or finds care for Ethiopians with cancer, heart disease and spinal conditions.
He has lived in Ethiopia for more than 20 years, has adopted five Ethiopian children and cared for 20 others over the years.
Kim Schneider Malek was participating in a Jewish Federation of North America mission to Israel and Ethiopia in March, 2010, when she met Dr. Hodes.
He mentioned that he had a patient Akewak who needed life-saving heart surgery, and that The Childrens Hospital in Denver might be one of three hospitals where the surgery would take place.
Malek immediately offered to ask her family if they would host Akewak in their home during his stay in the US.
Her family immediately agreed.
Rick Hodes sees and treats the people that other people choose not to see, said Malek. Most people would turn their heads away in fear and helplessness, but Rick Hodes finds help sometimes in the form of medicine and sometimes in the form of major surgery for them all over the world.
AFTER Akewak endured two major surgeries the one planned for his heart and the one added on for his spine as well as two other catheter procedures, Malek and her family decided that it would be best for Akewak to spend time in a school environment before he returned to his family in Ethiopia.
Malek and her husband Charles, have a kindergartner at Denver Jewish Day School, and Charles sister, Julie Malek, is a former teacher there.
Working with Bryan Hay, head of the upper school, the Maleks arranged for Akewak to spend three weeks as a guest student at Denver JDS, learning more about America and the school.
Akewak was willing to go, but according to Malek, he was fearful.
He was used to people looking at him differently because of his medical conditions; new environments were not easy for him.
But when several kids came to greet him as he got out of the Maleks car that first morning, Malek knew he would be OK.
Akewak joined middle school classes and had the chance to observe the high school biology class because of his love of science.
Akewak was welcomed into our community by everyone, said Hay. He is very bright and happy; he makes friends easily.
His smile made everyone happy, said sixth grader Avi Kaye. We were all excited to see him every day. We wanted him in all our classes.
Aliya Lofland, also a sixth grader, said, It was heartwarming to have Akewak at our school. I miss having class with him and wish to see him again.
During Akewaks visit, Dr. Hodes visited Denver JDS to speak to the high school and middle school students about his work in Ethiopia.
Faculty and students from Yeshivat Shaarei DAT attended his talk as well. They also heard from Akewak, who shared his story.
I am so appreciative of the Denver Jewish community and everyone who has welcomed Akewak, said Dr. Hodes.
At Denver JDS, we are committed to teaching the concept of Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place, said Avi Halzel, head of school-CEO.
It was an invaluable lesson to have both Dr. Hodes and Akewak at our school so our students could witness how it is possible to truly change lives.
Now that Akewak has returned to Ethiopia, the Maleks stay in touch with him by phone and think of him as their Ethiopian brother and son. Kim Malek also has formed a special relationship with Akewaks mother.
It was not easy to say goodbye to him, said Malek. It was an amazing experience for all of us.
