Helena is an 18-year-old girl from Tanzania who lives with her mother and four siblings. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares: “Helena’s parents are livestock keepers and have many extended family members depending on their support.” When Helena was a baby, she unintentionally stuck her left hand into an open fireplace and burned it severely. She was was treated afterwards with traditional medicines and although the wound healed, the burn resulted in a contracture: a hardening of muscles that can lead to deformed joints. The contracture has left Helena unable to use her hand. But because of her family's limited income, “coming up with enough cash to cover the cost of operation has been difficult,” explains AMHF. $550 will fund a single contracture release for Helena, during which the scarred tissue will be removed from her fingers and hands, and her tendons will be loosened. Because her injury occurred at such a young age, Helena was never sent to school. However, after the operation, functionality will return to Helena’s hand and an education will become possible for her. "I wish I could also go to school like my friends," says Helena.