"GRADUATION DAY"
Mohamed Conteh celebrates sits on stage during his
kindergarten graduation at Holy Rosary school. In attendance was Joe
Mandarino, who passed away soon after this event. Last to find a home was
Mohamed. He now lives in Staten Island with his 'forever family' Joanne
Reese, a single mother who takes in troubled children. His family includes
eleven siblings. The decision was made final on the day Joe Mandarino was
laid to rest. Joe Mandarino, Rotary Club member and President of 'Gift of
Limbs' program, became surrogate father to the group and was instrumental in
obtaining political asylum for them. He later died from complications of a
brain tumor.
