Service through surgery

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — The letter is simple, yet heartfelt.

"Dearest Friend,

"I am so grateful for the tremendous help that you gave to us poor Filipinos.

"My son is Reynaldo from Palawan. He was born March 13, 1987. We lived in a mountain area. In other words, we lived very far from the closest town. We are very poor and it takes a whole day to walk to the nearest town. … We moved to Corona, Palawan. This is where Reynaldo grew up and attended the elementary school. He only completed Grade 2 because he did not want to continue anymore. … I asked him why he did not want to attend, (and) Reynaldo said, "Father, I am ashamed because the other children in my class laugh at me.

… We met our doctor from Palawan and he encouraged us to have the surgery in Manila. We agreed so my son would not be ashamed due to teasing. We would not be here if not for our doctor from Palawan.

"I am grateful for the help that you gave to us. When we go back home, we will always remember your help and will never be forgotten …"

"Respectfully,

"Reynaldo Dailing and Family"

 

Letters like that are the payoff for William and Audrey Jackson, of Springville, founders of Deseret International Foundation.

The foundation, which began in 1989, is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that has built partnerships with local doctors and hospitals in more than 20 countries to provide medical supplies, equipment, facilities and screening programs to help people get medical treatment when they otherwise couldn't afford it.

"It was not a planned thing," William Jackson said of starting the foundation. "Most of the things we've done in our life have just happened."

Jackson, a retired family practice physician, said that when he was in his early 50s, he was called to be president of the Philippines Manila Mission.

"We saw children with significant problems — cleft palates, club feet, all fixable." Or missing limbs, hare lips and crossed eyes.

He approached doctors and hospitals, asking them to perform free surgery if he provided the supplies and training. First it was done for a couple of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then for some children who weren't Mormons.