About Us

Our History

During the years 1986-1989, Dr. William Jackson and his wife Audrey, presided over a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines. It did not take very long for them to learn to love these beautiful brown skin people, but they are shocked at the number of children suffering terrible disfiguring disabilities. Hare lips and cleft palates were common place. Many other children were suffering from crossed eyes and club feet. With the help of other church leaders and the local community, The Mabuhay Deseret Foundation was started. Children were brought in from all over the islands to a hospice house in Manila and a surgical program was started at the S. Luke's Hospital. Since that time nearly 50,000 surgeries have been performed in the Philippines at an average cost of less than forty American dollars. Additional hospital facilities have since been opened in the Philippine cities of Cebu and Davao.

Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Jackson met others who had similar experiences in third world countries. The feeling was unanimous that the program in the Philippines could be duplicated in other countries. American doctors indicated a willingness to donate their time to train local doctors in the skills that they would need for the specialized care of these people. Since the philosophy of the foundation is to utilize all donations for the direct care of those in need, these physicians have traveled throughout the world at their own expense. Thousands of dollars of medical supplies have been donated by medical companies and charitable foundations the value of which in American dollars would be in the millions. For every dollar that is donated over $100 in value of service and medical supplies is provided.

The Mabuhay Deseret Foundation having expanded into mare than 20 countries in one for or another has adopted the name of Deseret International Foundation. Through the efforts of the doctors and your help we have been able to provide over 30,000 surgeries a year. It should be noted that 95% of every dollar donated is used directly for patient care. In summary the foundation has the following goals:

1. To help those who cannot help themselves.
2. To teach the local people to help their own countrymen.
3. To use all donated funds for the direct care of the needy.

——————————Your support will give a second chance...