It was a day of happiness and joy when the little residents of the Nutrition Centre heard that Hasi was coming to Sri Lanka on a holiday.

Hasi left the shores of Sri Lanka in April last year with Elizabeth Smith and was accompanied by Guardian/Nurse Ms Ruveni Balasooriya to receive medical and surgical treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston, MA. Hasi sustained injuries in a house fire at the age of six months on over 50% of her body, with burns affecting her face, scalp, and right hand/leg.

Liz who is a friend to most of the inmates of the Suwasetha homes for many years visited the Nutrition centre one day and was touched by Hasi’s story and she told me that she was keen to take her to the US for treatment and that is how it all began.....

Hasi underwent her first surgery in June 2008 with Dr Winograd for Constructive release and skin graft on her hand and foot and the surgery was a success. In July, Dr Lewis operated on her right eye, doing skin grafts above and below to allow her eye to close completely.

Dr Lewis plans other surgeries to further release Hasi’s skin as she grows, and we are hopeful he will be able to repair her scalp when she is between the ages of  5 and 6. More surgery is planned for Hasi’s right hand in the hope that she will one day be able to write with her dominant hand.