Woman of the Week: LISA SALEM

Our Woman of the Week this week adopted 3 sets of twins from Russia that are full biological siblings who were once separated in different orphanages, almost completely neglected, malnourished, experiencing medical issues and much more. Once the decision to adopt was made, Lisa spent over a year and a half searching throughout various countries and scores of adoption agencies. Then, in August of 1998, she and her husband received a videotape from a Russian orphanage, showing fraternal twins, a boy and a girl who'd been given up at birth, their parents too poor to care for them. The babies were born 3 months premature, were left unattended in their crib, and had a myriad of medical problems including scabies, staph and ear infections, double hernia and more. The advice from their pediatricians in the States, "don't adopt these children." The doctors suggested that they would have cerebral palsy, brain damage, and they would never be whole. Undaunted, Lisa and her husband knew they would go forward with this adoption. And, that was just the beginning. As Lisa's puts it "there were more children in the world than there were parents. And we could do something about it." So, they did, returning to Russia to find and adopt the siblings of the children of the first adoption, who were also orphaned, so the family could be complete.

The entire story is nothing less than extraordinary and can be found at the MSNBC website entitled "From Russia with Love" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13544120/ . Before you read it in it's entirety, have a box of tissues handy. I've seen these stories on Dateline before, and frankly, can't get through the entire broadcast without sobbing. Thanks to Suzanne Roche of Ambler, PA, who works with Lisa's husband for submitting the nomination. In addition to raising 3 sets of twins, Lisa runs a small online business that she uses to raise money to create awareness for Russian orphanages and the plight of these children. Details are provided below.

WOTW: I don't know how you've found time to start your own business, but what do you like best about having done so?
Lisa: The freedom it gives me as a Mother and the blessing it gives me to help orphans suffering both here and in our world. It's a small online business at http://www.memoriescherished.com where I sell personalized books and gifts. I do have a twin's baby book, and I also have one for adopted children. I do not make much money from this business as all of my profits are often given in fundraisers for orphanages. Last year we were able to raise over $4,000 for orphanages in the USA, Russia, China, Guatemala, Haiti, and Ukraine. My best selling book is the adoption baby book and it is a story that I have written that details each family's adoption journey to their own child, and contains all the details that most adoptive children can find in a typical baby book. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to provide this keepsake that so many parents have come to love.

WOTW: What is the hardest thing for you to accomplish?
Lisa: Uniting all of my children together and dealing with foreign government obstacles in doing so. The pain of this labor of love literally physically hurt at times.

WOTW: What makes you most proud?
Lisa: I have been able to change the course of my children's lives and present opportunities for them that would never be possible. I've held several positions in corporations in the past, but none can compare to the love, joy, pain, and fulfillment of being a Mother. In my case especially, to now see the joy and healing in my children's eyes that once lived lives of hopelessness is Russia is beyond fulfillment as a Mother and a member of humanity.

WOTW: Describe your overall philosophy and how you utilize it with your day-to-day responsibilities.
Lisa: It's what you GET that makes a LIVING, but what you GIVE that makes a LIFE!

WOTW: If you could change one thing in our world, what would it be?
Lisa: That everyone had a loving family to care for them and that no child would ever have to face a life as an orphan. See Philosophy!

WOTW Do you have time for guilty pleasures?
Lisa: I love to travel, and especially with my husband and children. Going to Hawaii would be a dreamed fulfilled by all of us. We don't get much down time and certainly don't have much money, but a vacation gives us real bonding and relaxing moments.

WOTW: What CD or book would you want to have with you on the deserted island?
Lisa: Just a hammock and some time to rest would be nice. I typically only sleep 3-4 hours per night because of my busy life with my children and commitments. Sleep would be an added bonus. As far as music goes, the 80's are definitely my favorite type. Books that I read include self-help and a good mystery is always interesting, but I really don't have much time for reading.

WOTW: What advice would you share to someone thinking about adoption?
Lisa: If you make this decision, I would say to hold on because it's going to be a bumpy ride. It is only for the strong of heart, but so worth the leap of faith in the end. I can't imagine loving my children more or a life that is more full of fulfillment than mine, but I don't know anyone who life is busier than my own either. In business, do what you love…I do!!

WOTW: What's next for you?
Lisa: In just a little over a month, I will return to Russia with a team of 16 to the same orphanages (4 total) where my children once lived. We are going to provide loving care, medical and dental treatment, and orphanage renovation while we are there. However, most important to me is that I am going to work to change the statistics for the orphaned children who age out of the system. Right now, the statistics are that only 50% of these children live to the age of 20. It is my long-term goal to change the future for as many of these children as possible, by working to give them the opportunity and life skills that are obtainable with just a little time and commitment. Presently, I am making all of the arrangements for our team to travel this July and work with the government to make this happen. We will be meeting with the Ministry of Education in Russia and working with several orphanages in Pskov that are in the worst condition. Our goal is to create some long-term changes for the children and hopefully change the statistics listed for some of the children, as well as repair and renovate living quarters and spend quality time with the children who so desperately need care and affection.

Today, there are approximately 8,000 orphans in the Pskov region (about the size of Pennsylvania). More than 7,000 children are brought up at the 36 orphanages and other institutions. Annually more than 1,900 children are sent to the orphanages and boarding schools. Orphans in Russia are exposed to shocking levels of cruelty and neglect. Infants are segregated into "lying-down" rooms, where they are bereft of stimulation and lacking in medical care. Older children are in constant danger and often suffer from malnourishment, neglect, and abuse.

The original Dateline story will air again this Sunday, May 27th, with an update on how Lisa's children are doing now. If you'd like to help, please contact the Russian Orphan Service Team, c/o Souderton Mennonite Church, 105 W. Chestnut Street, Souderton, PA 18964. Phone: (215)-723-3088. Your financial contribution would provide needed supplies and funding and enable them to make a positive difference for these children. If you'd like to nominate a Woman of the Week, please email me – Marilyn@phillynews.com.