Nissy Nassif Wiping Tears Charitable Foundation Interview

Wiping Tears

13-year-old Matty was born with Cerebral Palsy to parents Monette and Ronaldo Saraza. Matty will be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life and can't talk. His condition has left his parents with hospital bills in excess of $55,000. Day-to-day life is a costly struggle for this family with additional expenses such as a wheelchair, nappies and the fact that Monette needs to be his full time caretaker.

Wiping Tears has since paid off Matty's hospital bills in agreement with Broome Hospital worth $18,000, paid the remainder of the payments for the family's car which has been specially modified to accommodate for Matty's disability, along with Coles vouchers to assist with daily expenses. Nissy and the Wiping Tears team have also agreed to pay for the new wheelchair that Matty will be getting after the practitioner has measured and quoted.

Interview with Nissy Nassif, CEO and Director of Wiping Tears Charitable Foundation

Question: What is the Wiping Tears Charitable Foundation?

Nissy Nassif : Wiping Tears Charitable Foundation seeks to help families around Australia who face financial hardship due to health issues. We work with families on a very personal basis ensuring each case is treated according to what the family needs. As the Director, I personally assess each family's situation so we can really change their lives.


Question: How did Matty and his parents Monette and Ronaldo Saraza, catch your attention?

Nissy Nassif : When I was talking to new friends from Broome, Justine and Joanne, about Wiping Tears and how we help individual families in need, I was introduced to the Saraza family who were members of a local church that her friends attended. Upon hearing their heart-breaking story and daily struggles, I boarded a flight to Perth to visit them and hear their story.


Question: How does Cerebral Palsy affect Matty and his family?

Nissy Nassif : Matty will be bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life and can't talk. His condition has meant left his parents with hospital bills in excess of $55,000. Day-to-day life is a costly struggle for this family with additional expenses such as a wheelchair, nappies and the fact that Monette needs to be his full time caretaker.


Question: How has Wiping Tears supported Matty and his family?

Nissy Nassif : Wiping Tears has since paid off Matty's hospital bills in agreement with Broome Hospital worth $18,000, paid the remainder of the payments for the family's car which has been specially modified to accommodate for Matty's disability worth $6,142.12, given them $1,000 in Coles vouchers to assist with daily expenses and $1,000 cash. We will also cover the cost for the new wheelchair that Matt will be getting after the practitioner has measured and quoted for this.


Question: What is a typical day like, for you as CEO and Director of the Wiping Tears Charitable Foundation?

Nissy Nassif : My days involve keeping in touch with the families we're supporting and giving them my time and full attention. It's not just about providing financial support. I become very close with a lot of the families we work with.

I also liaise with our generous sponsors to ensure we're creating meaningful partnerships. I'm currently busy planning our annual fundraiser event, the Sunlight Ball on the 26th of October. Aside from planning the event I work with our sponsors to ensure they are getting the right kind of exposure at the event.

As CEO I also oversee all of our digital and social media content, as well as creating video content with the families we work with.


Question: How can Australians support the Wiping Tears Charitable Foundation?

Nissy Nassif : We ask every Australian to visit our website and donate for our families in need. You can also purchase tickets or arrange sponsorships for our next fundraiser falling on the 26th of October, the Sunlight Ball.


Interview by Brooke Hunter