Nidhi is a 16-year-old girl from India. She lives in Mirzamurad, a village near Varanasi in northern India. She lives with her parents, two sisters, and a brother. Her father works as a halwai, preparing traditional Indian sweets to support the family. Nidhi is currently in the 9th grade and loves dancing. When she was just 2½ years old, Nidhi accidentally fell into a container of hot sugar syrup being used to make gulab jamuns, a sweet dessert. She sustained severe burns to her right chest and arm. Although she received wound care at the time, her family was unable to access reconstructive surgery. As Nidhi grew, the burn scars tightened and developed into contractures, affecting her right breast and elbow. These scars have restricted movement and altered her appearance during adolescence, a time when many young people become increasingly aware of their bodies and self-image. Nidhi's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On June 19th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the tight burn scars on Nidhi’s right chest and elbow, improving both movement and comfort. The procedure is expected to increase the range of motion in her arm, making everyday activities such as dressing, writing, carrying schoolbooks, and participating in household tasks easier. The surgery will also address the contracture affecting her right breast, allowing for more normal development and reducing the physical discomfort and asymmetry caused by the scar tissue. By reducing the limitations caused by her burn scars, the surgery will allow Nidhi to participate more freely in school, social activities, and her favourite hobby, dancing. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Nidhi shared, "I hope this treatment will make everyday activities easier for me."

Girdhari is a 35-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from India. He lives with his wife, three children, parents, and siblings. He shares a close bond with his parents and siblings and takes pride in contributing to the household through his work as an auto-rickshaw driver. About a year and a half ago, Girdhari sustained severe burn injuries in a workplace accident. While working as a cook, hot oil spilled onto a stove and triggered a sudden fire, leaving his legs badly burned. He was treated at a local hospital, but did not receive the specialized burn care needed for proper healing. Over time, this has led to serious complications — his feet have developed contractures, leaving them tilted and making walking painful and difficult. Girdhari now requires corrective surgery and rehabilitation to restore function and improve his quality of life. With timely medical intervention, he has a strong chance of regaining better mobility and continuing to support his family. Fortunately, on April 23rd, our medical partner, GS Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, will help Girdhari undergo burn contracture release surgery to restore movement and improve his quality of life. Girdhari is receiving support from G.S. Memorial Trust, but needs help raising $726 more to fund their procedure and care. Girdhari said, "After this surgery, I am hopeful to fully recover and regain my mobility. That way, I can feel confident to seek out more job opportunities to support my family."

Surjeet is a 26-year-old man from India. He drives an electric auto rickshaw as a daily wage earner. When Surjeet was four years old, he sustained burns while sitting around a bonfire during winter. For around two months, he was treated at home by a nurse working at a government hospital. Twelve years ago, Surjeet, who lives in Bihar, travelled over 300 kilometers to visit our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for specialized care. He had extensive post-burn contractures or tightening of the skin around the neck, arms, hands, and lower lip. He has undergone two surgeries for the release of his neck and left axillary contractures. Surjeet needs another surgery to help him regain strength and mobility in his right wrist and hand. On April 16th, he will undergo burn contracture release surgery, and he needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Surjeet has high hopes that this surgery will help him regain the function of his right hand. Surjeet's father shared, "With the help of G S Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital, I hope that my son will be able to study further with the promise of a better future after this surgery."

Pobit Dev is a 7-year-old boy from India. He hails from West Bengal and lives with his parents as an only child. His father works as a farmer, and his mother as a homemaker. Pobit is currently attending school in the 2nd grade. He enjoys eating and loves riding his bicycle. When he was five, Pobit Dev suffered burn injuries after falling on an open fire while playing with friends. He developed severe skin contractures affecting his right hand, left arm, elbow, forearm, and thumb, as well as his right cheek and presternal area. He is experiencing significant pain, and his daily life has been seriously impacted by the injuries. Despite two treatments in his home state, he was referred to Watsi's medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for more advanced care. The initial focus will be on treating his hand and forearm first. These contractures restrict his hand movements and prevent him from doing activities he enjoys, also affecting his education. Pobit Dev has travelled more than 12 hours with his family to seek treatment at our partner's care center. On August 11th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to address his most pressing pain and discomfort. The treatment will help him regain his mobility, allowing him once again to play with his friends, ride bicycles, and continue his education. He needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Pobit Dev's mother shared, "I am hopeful about his treatment, and I just want him to be okay."

Meet 15-year-old Lah Naw from Burma. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us, “Lah Naw lives with her grandmother, father, brother, and sister. Her mother is deceased. Her father supports the entire family by running a snack shop out of their home and makes about 100 USD per month.” Though their father sometimes has to borrow money for school fees, Lah Naw’s father wants both his children to attend school. As BBP explains, “Lah Naw has completed grade 8, but she misses school frequently because of her condition and has not yet been able to start grade 9.” Lah Naw has a sinonasal papilloma, a benign tumor of the nasal cavity. BBP reports, “Lah Naw first noticed her problem two years ago when she started to get nosebleeds and could feel a mass on the inside of her nose. She went to a clinic in Burma and received medicine to ease the bleeding, but the mass has continued to grow since then.” Currently, Lah Naw has frequent and serious nosebleeds. BBP informs us, “She has to say home from school multiple times per month because of the nosebleeds. Lah Naw is scared that if her condition does not improve, she will not be able to return to school.” With $1,500 in funding, Lah Naw will receive surgery to remove the mass in her nasal cavity, putting an end to her nosebleeds. Funding covers the cost of pre-surgery and post-surgery outpatient visits, hospitalization for scans and surgery, transportation, and food allowance. “After surgery, Lah Naw will be able to go back to school and will be relieved of her symptoms,” confirms BBP. Lah Naw is eager to return to her daily life and looks forward to a bright future. She shares, “I want to go back to school, and after I complete grade 12, I want to continue my education further.”