Norma is 5 years old and got burnt by a mosquito net that caught fire and fell on her.

All her body is burnt except her face. Living in the hospital for over 1 year Norma has endured countless operations and is incredibly brave. Her family lives far away and can rarely visit her, and comfort only comes when the nurses can spare time to cuddle her or when the occasional volunteers visit.

When Kirsten, the Swiss nurse and volunteer, took her to her to the park for the day she had not left the hospital for over ten months. She was simply bursting with excitement as soon as she left the hospital gates. When she got home she told Kirsten that it had been the happiest day of her life.

Nelly is 8 years old and has been in the hospital for over 1 year.

She and her brother Victor got severely burnt after a gas explosion in their kitchen the day their older sister got married, her little sister was burnt so badly that she died. Nelly has burns all over her body, but especially on her face and her neck.

Nelly waited for over two years for essential operations and now has to stay in the hospital solely for physical therapy. This is incredibly boring and lonely for her as her family can rarely visit. When the centre is full Nelly is the first one to be moved to a different ward, which only increases her insecurity. The traumatic circumstances of the fire and the loss of her sister have had a psychological effect and she naturally craves love, comfort and attention, her current transient situation is not helping her develop or recover.

Like any other eight year old girl, she has a passion for all things pink, loves playing with dolls and would like to be a princess when she grows up. We hope that we can soon make her happy.

Rosita

Rosita and her two sisters Dayana and Gabrielle were caught in a house fire. Their father saved them and their mother from the burning house and sadly died a few days later from the injuries he incurred.

Rosita constantly looked out for her younger sisters, when it came to feeding, playing or simply getting attention she ensured that they all got their share. They took comfort in each other and recovered at an amazing rate.

However, despite coming from a relatively wealthy family, with their father deceased and their mother seriously ill, the children's future is uncertain. The only comfort we felt was that they were regularly visited by their town's nuns and we hope that this commitment will assist them.

Again, the sister's plight reinforces the need for not only for immediate assistance but a long term home and funding to help the children and their families in the future.