Dear friends and supporters!

We share with you the story of Raimo, a brave young man who grew up in an orphanage and currently lives alone in a social housing apartment in Sindi. Throughout his life, he has faced the difficult challenge of a cleft lip and palate, leading to years of struggle with self-confidence and school life. Despite his health condition, which comes with various physical and social barriers, Raimo has approached life with optimism. Now, we have the opportunity to significantly improve his quality of life by supporting the funding for a critically important surgical operation.

In Estonia, all possible operations have already been performed on him with the support of the Health Insurance Fund. Due to a particularly complex case, Raimo needs further assistance from world-class experts in the field, led by Professor Jyri Hukki from Helsinki. Without such help, Raimo cannot live a fulfilling life.

The challenge

Raimo’s background includes complex and long-term orthodontic treatment, starting in the Dental Polyclinic in Pärnu and continuing in Tallinn from 2018 to the present. Due to a deep and especially wide cleft lip and palate, Raimo’s palate was very narrow and highly scarred after the initial surgery.

At school, Raimo was often ridiculed by others because of his appearance and speech impairment. He lost mental balance and sought help from a psychiatrist, even being hospitalized for mental health issues. Upon reaching adulthood, Raimo got a new home and started living independently with the help of a guardian. Raimo is a friendly, well-meaning, and helpful young man: he currently volunteers at a dog shelter. He hopes that the operations will help him speak more clearly, improve his facial appearance, and boost his confidence.

Time is critical

The first critical step in Raimo’s recovery journey is the bone grafting operation, which creates a bone bridge between the two halves of the jaw. Once the bone bridge is in place, the next necessary operation can occur about 6 months later, which Raimo eagerly awaits: bringing the upper jaw forward to improve the shape of the face and occlusion, and to restore the shape of the nose deformed by the cleft lip, as if Raimo were born without a cleft lip and palate.

Renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Professor Jyri Hukki, who has operated on thousands of patients with a cleft lip and palate in Finland and the Nordic countries from infancy to adulthood, has called this bone addition procedure essential.

Partial bone grafting has been done before, but unfortunately, it was not successful and needs to be redone on a larger scale. The cost of this initial operation is estimated at 12,000 euros.

Looking forward to the future

After the first surgery, Raimo needs a comprehensive facial-jaw and nose operation simultaneously, planned for the end of 2024. The cost of this procedure, which will last about seven hours, is 34,000 euros. This operation is crucial for improving Raimo’s facial structure, speech, and ultimately his self-esteem and quality of life.

It may happen that Raimo will need a third operation after the second one, a speech correction operation. The risk of needing this operation exists and is related to bringing the facial bones forward and its impact on the larynx. This is a simple and quick operation and should not cost much compared to the first and second operations. If needed, it would happen quite soon after the second operation.

How you can help:

We are extremely grateful for your generosity and ask for your support for Raimo. Every donation, no matter the size, brings Raimo one step closer to a life where he can smile, speak clearly, and live with much more confidence. Let’s unite our forces and give this young man a chance for a happy and fulfilling future.

As of April 13, 6070 EUR has been collected in support of Raimo. We thank all supporters!

Dear friends, acquaintances, and those who are hearing about me for the first time!

I believe I am familiar to many of you (I was featured on the TV show “Inglite aeg” and have appeared in articles in Tartu Postimees and MK-Estonia). My name is Natalja Šebunova and I live in Tartu city. Since 2000, I have been suffering from a disease called pansclerotic morphea. For more than 15 years, I have had ulcers on my legs, now also in the thigh area and on my arms. There is always a great risk of infection (the infection persists in the ulcers). The strain of microbe that lives in the ulcers is very resistant and must not enter the bloodstream. In recent years, I have been using a wheelchair.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for morphea. So far, I have undergone treatments that are possible according to current medical knowledge and which can be called experimental, but unfortunately, they have not yielded sufficient results (I have been treated in Italy, consulted with several doctors in Germany, and received treatment recommendations, which have been applied in Estonia as far as possible).

At the end of February and the beginning of March, I was in Top Ichilov Hospital in Israel for two weeks for examinations and treatment. My trip there and the examinations were made possible thanks to the support of Sergei Astafjev! I will remember his great humanity and helpfulness for the rest of my life. He is a person with a very big and kind soul. I am also very grateful to the board of the NGO Naerata Ometi – Heiki and Kuno!

The hospital doctor’s recommendation was extracorporeal photopheresis, two procedures every month. I have only received those two procedures there, and that is all. Initially, the doctor advised doing the procedures for at least half a year to see their effects on me.

Unfortunately, the cost of two procedures is very expensive, about $11,000. There are also additional costs associated with traveling and accommodation in Israel.

Honestly, my life is just horrible. I am constantly changing my bandages, and have very strong pains. Since I move on my knees, ulcers have also formed there. I started taking antidepressants because I am very tired of panic attacks. Shaking in my hands, legs, the whole body. The worst thing is knowing that the treatment is available, but I don’t have access to it. Each bandaging is very difficult, and I am always sweating. I can’t sleep normally. I use sleeping pills and diazepam drops. Every night I wake up because something hurts somewhere. Compared to last autumn, I feel much worse now. In addition, my hemoglobin level constantly falls, and I receive blood transfusions.

In June, the NGO Naerata Ometi put my project up on their home page. We were very optimistic, and our goal was to raise money for bandaging supplies and to go for the procedure in Israel. We managed to raise money for buying bandaging supplies (my average pharmacy receipt is about 700 euros in one week; all bills have been transferred to the NGO). The necessary amount for going to Israel was missing. Donations were collected in June and July. Now I am in such a situation that I simply do not have the money to buy bandaging supplies. I am in a panic.

There is currently a difficult political situation in Israel, and physically going there is not possible. Fortunately, by next year, a photopheresis machine will arrive at the University of Tartu Clinic. It is not yet known when the photopheresis procedure will be available in Tartu.

In order to survive until then and not develop sepsis, I need financial support to buy bandaging materials. I am very ashamed to ask for help, but without your support, I cannot bind the wounds, and it will end very badly.

I am very grateful for every euro!!!! I wish you all strong health!

Here’s how you can help Natalja:

Dear friends!

Last year, we started a renovation project for Triinu’s apartment in Lääne-Nigula. Triinu suffers from multiple sclerosis. We would like to thank Kristiina and Einar, who supported us financially, and all other donators who contributed financially and provided materials for the renovation. We have progressed with the work to the extent that we now need to install new electrical cables, sockets, switches, and circuit breakers. The current ones date back to the Soviet era and are completely worn out. They are dangerous and need immediate replacement. Triinu can’t even cook in the kitchen, let alone shower or carry out other essential tasks.

For this, we are announcing an additional project called “Electricity for Triinu’s Home”.

As a result of negotiations, we have found a seller and contractor at a good price. The required supplies are:

1. Sockets – 15 pcs
2. Switches – 5 pcs
3. Euro backboxes (plastic round electrical boxes) – 5 pcs
4. Plastic cable covers 40 x 60 (2 m) 21 pcs and 15 x 30 (2 m) 22 pcs.
5. Cable 3G 2.5-100 m; 3G 1.5-100 m; 3G 6-5 m.
6. Electrical panel with 18 modules – 1 pc
7. Residual-current devices C10A – 1 pc; C13A – 4 pcs; C16A – 2 pcs.
8. Installation accessories related to these works.

Additionally, the wages for the installation workers and transportation.

The total cost of the project is 3,477.85 euros. Thank you in advance to all the helpers and donators.

Together, let’s make Triinu’s apartment livable!

How can you help financially?

Hello, dear friends and supporters!

Our NGO has received a plea for help from the family of Eha farm in Aiamaa village, Nõo parish, where Roland and his grandparents live. Roland is a hard-working young man who has taken it upon himself to restore and modernize the old farm building, in order to continue the family traditions and keep his grandparents’ heritage alive.

Unfortunately, at the end of August, Roland’s family had a terrible accident – a fire that destroyed a large part of the farm buildings and possessions, including tools and building materials. As a result of the fire, there is now an urgent need to build a new sauna to ensure basic washing facilities for the family. Fortunately, Saunasellid OÜ has offered help with the sauna, agreeing to install a proper sauna at half the price and allowing for installment payments.

In addition to the sauna, it is also necessary to continue the construction of a workshop-garage so that Roland can continue his work and promote the farm life.

The situation of Roland and his grandparents is complicated, as the farm was not insured – the grandparents’ retirement payments and Roland’s income as a welder did not allow for that luxury. The community has already shown its great heart by helping the family both financially and practically, but they are still greatly in need.

Roland has told us: “I’ve learned an important life lesson the hard way. I was foolish for not insuring the farm. Now I’m wiser.” He is most concerned about his grandparents’ well-being and is looking for solutions to help the farm back on its feet. The first steps have already been taken, but there is still a lot of work ahead.

Roland needs materials and tools to build the sauna and to cover the workshop-garage with a wind barrier before winter comes. The list of necessary materials is long and includes wind barrier boards, lining boards, wooden construction boards and much more. It is also necessary to replace the tools that were destroyed in the fire, so that construction work can continue.

We call upon you to help Roland and his grandparents during this difficult time. If you feel that you would like to support their reconstruction efforts, we welcome your help in the form of financial donations and practical contributions. Every small act of kindness helps Roland step by step to restore the farm and provide a safe and comfortable home for his grandparents.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed and to those who plan to do so. Your readiness to help and support is of invaluable worth, and you are helping to keep alive the cultural heritage of Estonian rural areas.

Major supporters:

Our sincere thanks to Saunasell OÜ for coming to the family’s aid! They agreed to sell and install a proper sauna at half the price and on a payment plan with installments! 🙂

How can you help financially?

Maarja, a young woman battling cystic fibrosis (read more about Maarja’s story HERE), has been denied funding by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund for her life-saving medications. In collaboration with our organization and attorney-at-law Jaanika Reilik-Bakhoff, Maarja has taken legal action against this decision. We have obtained temporary (interim) legal protection from the Circuit Court, meaning that the Health Insurance Fund currently covers Maarja’s treatment costs. However, a lengthy court battle lies ahead.

Why is this important?

We believe that the Health Insurance Fund’s refusal to fund Maarja’s medication may be unconstitutional. This case doesn’t just concern Maarja; it’s linked to standing up for health equality and the accessibility of crucial medicine for everyone. The court’s decision could bring much-needed clarity for similar future cases.

How can you help?

We need your support, primarily financial, to cover the legal expenses associated with this case. Your contribution will not only assist Maarja in her fight for her right to life-saving medications but will also contribute to a broader battle for health equality.

How to support?

• Donate: Your financial support will go directly towards legal fees and other related expenses.
• Share: Help us spread the message by sharing this campaign on social media using the hashtag #ToetaMaarjat.

Impact

Your support will not only change Maarja’s life but could also set a legal precedent that has the power to help countless others facing similar challenges. Together, we can make society more just! On 19.09.2023, an article was published in Postimees stating that, according to genetics professor Katrin Õunap, people should not be confused by the word “rare,” as there are quite a lot of different rare diseases. Neglecting their treatment results in a large number of disabled children. “Over 7,000 rare diseases are known worldwide. Therefore, we can say that in Estonia, every fifth person might encounter a rare disease either personally or through family members.” This demonstrates how vital this issue is! Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to justice for Maarja and many others. Together we can achieve more! Thank you for standing with us in this critical fight for health equality.

How can you help financially?

Dear friends!

Naerata Ometi was approached by one of our supporters from Pärnumaa parish, who is very worried about a friend, a single mother named Jane (the name has been changed) who is raising three children alone. We contacted Jane to find out the seriousness of the problem and see how we could be of assistance to her.

Jane has three small children (aged 5, 7 and 8 years) and there is also a small dog in the family. Three years ago, the father left them and moved elsewhere. Since that time, Jane has been raising the children alone and trying to get by, as best as she can. She has been granted payments by the court, but her ex-husband has not been paying these on schedule.

One of her three children has ADHD and mood disorders. Jane has to go with him into therapy several times a week. This is why Jane cannot work five days a week. The young woman has been searching for different solutions that would allow her to set her own schedule and work non-contractually. She has done work as a cleaning lady and all kinds of menial labour, so that she could pay for her children’s schooling, kindergarten, hobbies and therapies.

Up until this year, she managed to get by and deal with everything independently. Suddenly, tragic events started to happen in the family (her sister lost a child and the two lost their father). These setbacks were so distressing to her that she was no longer able to work. She found herself in a hopeless state of mind and did not want to deal with the outside world anymore. Because she is not officially employed anywhere, she received no sick leave compensation.

From that point onward, her financial troubles started piling up. She took out a loan to cover for her payments, thinking that she would be able to get back up on her feet in a few months’ time: start working again and pay everything back as necessary. In August, however, she received a notice that her family must move out of their two-room rent apartment in September. The rent there was 300€ + 150€ for the utility bill.

Jane started looking for a new apartment to rent. The housing prices in Pärnu had become drastically high. The average apartment was 700€ rent + utilities. Another problem was that most landlords do not want to rent out apartments to families with small children and pets. “That was a really depressing time,” says Jane.

In the end, she managed to find an apartment that suited her family: 500€ rent + utilities. She had to give 1000€ as a deposit, of which she paid 500€ immediately and still has to pay 100€ monthly for five months. “This apartment is temporary for us, but it allows me to catch my breath at least, so we do not end up on the street,” says Jane. However, the bills have doubled in size, and the young woman finds herself in a bad situation where problems escalate.

She paid back her loan and asked for a new one immediately to cover for other payments. Despite all that had happened, she felt as if she could handle the situation – not allow herself to get demotivated and sink into depression, where she had been for years, but march on and try to get things in order.

Jane has not been able to buy anything for herself for three years now. But she does not complain, because her three lovely children are her top priority.

At the end of August, she became ill: throat pain, ear pain, cough, inflammation, weakness etc. For two weeks, she was in a really bad shape. She could not work and her financial problems kept adding up. Finally, she pushed herself to work while sick, so that she would at least have some money to buy food for her children. Eventually, she had to call an ambulance and she went to the emergency department, where they were initially unable to determine the cause of her illness. 

She had throat and ear pain until the 24th of October, which meant that Jane was sick for 54 days. Her friend who had approached us thought that Jane was sick simply because of stress. Jane was examined by many doctors, but regrettably, everyone shrugged their hands. The coughing and pain did not subside. Finally, she had a camera check-up of her throat done at the ED and they were able to diagnose coronavirus. In addition to her, all her children had it too. Jane was forced to cancel all work and her wallet took yet another hit.

Her children need three times more food at home than during the days of kindergarten. As of today, Jane is over two thousand euros in debt. She receives her child benefit allowance on the 8th, in total 520€, but this is not enough to cover her 500€+100€+200€ apartment costs. The doctor said that they all have to stay at home for five days before they are allowed to resume their activities. They are all feeling very bad and weak. The kindergartner still has a strong cough. Jane works mostly in facilities with a lot of babies or disabled children. She also is still coughing really badly, and she has throat and lung pain. She has only two options: either go to work while sick and infect others in order to pay back 200€ of debt, or stay at home until she is cured and can continue working in full health.

The young woman has also contacted the local government. Because her salary is not under the subsistence level set by the government, they are unable to help. Jane says that Christmas presents have not even crossed her mind. She is struggling for food for her children.

We decided to turn to kind-hearted people for help and help the young mother and her three children.

Dear friends, we are asking you for the following:

1. If anyone is able to rent out an affordably priced two-room apartment in Pärnu, Sindi or Paikuse that could house a mother, three children and a dog, please let us know.
2. If anyone can donate preserves (food in jars), please let us know.
3. If you can help financially, please do not hesitate to do so. At the moment, every euro is of great help.

We here at Naerata Ometi are searching for a debt counsellor for Jane, who could help her learn skills to minimize her dept situation and turn things around. We are also in contact with the food bank and trying to obtain food for the family. Additionally, we are working with other NGO-s to secure clothing.

Together we can achieve more.

How can you help financially?

Phone donation:

9008810 – donate 10 euros
9008850 – donate  50 euros

Bank transaction:

LHV Pank
EE167700771002598797
BIC/SWIFT: LHVBEE22

Swedbank
EE672200221046387155
BIC/SWIFT: HABAEE2X

SEB
EE101010220101993019
BIC/SWIFT: EEUHEE2X

Coop Pank
EE074204278613542000
BIC/SWIFT: EKRDEE22

Beneficiary: Naerata Ometi MTÜ
Information: Jane toetuseks

SMS donation:

SMS to number 13013 write Naerata jane for donating 1,6 euros
SMS to number 13017 write Naerata jane for donating 3,2 euros

Become our regular supporter, more info HERE