Beshu is 15 years old and a sixth grader from Ethiopia. Since she was very little, Beshu has lived with her aunt. Now in the 6th grade, she balances her time between helping with housework and focusing on her school lessons. She is a resilient student working hard to overcome a significant physical challenge.
When Beshu was a year old, a small, a bump appeared on her right finger. Over time, the bump turned into a painful ulcer that leaked fluid, and as it healed, it began to pull her finger inward, permanently changing its shape. Her limited hand movement turns simple classroom tasks into exhausting challenges. Holding a pen for an entire lesson is a constant struggle. This difficulty affects her spirit, too; she feels a deep lack of confidence and worries about the judgment of others. To avoid unwanted attention and the fear of bullying, she chooses to hide her hand beneath long sleeves.
Beshu was referred to our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, for treatment. On January 24th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to release the tight, contracted skin and restore full movement to her hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $500 procedure.
Beshu dreams of a future where she can finally feel confident and at ease in the classroom. This surgery would allow her to participate in school activities without the constant fear of feeling different. With hope in her eyes, she shared, “I want to be brave enough to do things without fearing insults. I can’t wait to see my hand and see how beautiful it looks.”