Niš, April 18, 2018

A big WISH came true in Niš, thanks to collaboration between the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Government of Taipei.

Sandra, a beautiful and solar 12-years old girl, unfortunately, from her birth lives with a rare disease caused by a viral infection contracted when she was only two weeks old.

Sandra with her parents, on the left side Prof. Dragan Stefanovic and Amb. di Luca, on the right side Amb. Chang

Sandra’s parents had written months ago to the Embassy of the Order of Malta in Belgrade to express their “WISH”: to find someone who could bear the heavy costs of very specific surgical operations that could not be postponed. A special helping hand of the internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon Prof. Milorad Mitkovic was needed to intervene according to the stages of Sandra‘s growth, and of her right leg, and not according to the precarious availability in public facilities.

The precious collaboration between the Order of Malta and the Government of Taipei, sensitive and generous in the face of these problems, has made the “WISH” come true. In the eyes and hearts of Sandra’s parents, it seemed a miracle!

Ambassador Alberto di Luca and Ambassador Andrew Chang, Taipei representative in Budapest (always attentive and ready to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Embassy of the Order of Malta in Belgrade) were present today to collect a dazzling smile of little Sandra, and the heartfelt gratitude of her father and mother.

Besides the diplomats, the simple but significant ceremony at the “Sava Surgery“ Clinic in Niš was attended by Director of the Project “Make a WISH“ Prof. Nenad Prokić, Deputy mayor of Niš Prof. Nenad Ranđelović, Director of the Hospital “Sava Surgery“ Dr. Dragan Stefanović together with hospital staff, always professionally and affectionately close to little Sandra who now looks to her future with new hope and confidence.