In 2015, a six-year-old Shazim Samad was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with second and third degree burns to forty per cent of his body (lower anterior extremities and his lower posterior extremities). The incident occurred when an object exploded in a heap of burning garbage next to where he was playing, consequently his clothes caught on fire.
The Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc. (SHEA) charity was contacted in 2015. The organisation immediately started to work on securing treatment service for Shazim in the United States, since the treatment he requires is not currently available in Guyana. Shazim was kept in stable condition at GPHC, while SHEA worked on finding treatment service, secure funding, legal compliance and immigration matters.
Shazim arrived in Texas, US, on January 19 and immediately began his treatment course, which consisted of several skin graft surgeries, physical and psychological therapy and on-hospital-campus schooling. He progressed week-by-week and his doctors were optimistic he would soon head home to Guyana, which he did on April 11, 2016.
After completing his first round of treatment, Shazim returned home to Guyana. Since his return home, Shazim has readjusted to a life of complete normalcy. He has re-enrolled in school and spends his free time with his family.
He then returned to the US for follow-up sessions in August 2016 and January 2017.
On September 13, 2017, the now eight-year-old travelled to the United States where he received reconstructive surgery as well as laser treatment to combat scarring caused by his burn injuries. While in the US, he also attended the SHEA charity annual fundraising dinner and dance in New York, where he was presented with an Apple iPad, courtesy of Mr Mohamed Hussain. He was also privileged to meet some of the amazing donors who helped to save his life and thanked them in person.
Shazim is now safely back in Guyana with his family, however, he must return to the United States for further treatment in April 2018. He continues to lead a healthy and happy life.
Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc.
Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc. is a humanitarian organisation that provides financial assistance and coordinates free or low cost treatment to address the emergency medical needs of individuals in impoverished countries. Beginning in Guyana and the Caribbean and seeking to expand to other geographic areas in need as funds come available, SHEA supports and empowers patients who cannot afford crucial medical treatment due to poverty or lack of appropriate services in their home nation.
The organisation’s vision and methodology are to: identify individuals in impoverished communities with the most need; locate and leverage funding for medical aid and/or humanitarian services on a case-by-case basis; and through partnerships of compassion and expertise, positively impact and improve health conditions one person at a time.
Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc. will develop into a sustainable and replicable model for improving emergency health outcomes and, within a holistic framework of strategic partnerships and will create, fund and implement healthcare plans that provide diverse individuals in need with life-saving medical treatment and services.
For more information on Shazim’s journey, visit http://savinghandsemergencyaid.org
If you know of a child like Shazim who needs SHEA’s help, please email at shea@sheacharity.org or visit SHEA on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
