Director Dina Fesler’s trip to Afghanistan is taking on unexpected new directions as she has set up the Helmand Children’s Medical Fund (HCMF), an emergency relief fund to help severely ill children suffering in a Kabul IDP camp. Media interest is escalating and CBS and CNN will be airing stories in the next few days.
To catch up on Dina’s blog, visit www.needmagazine.com/blog
I just saw the piece regarding Rahim on CNN. As a mother of a 14 month old little boy, it just broke my heart. We are so fortunate here in the United States not to be affected by the wars we are involved in and forget the terrible pain it can cause on children. I look at my son and realize he and I are so fortunate and I would never want him to suffer the way Rahim is. If only I could do more than donate money….if it were possible to send hugs and kisses he would have mine.
Thanks, Diana. I know what you mean…I will never feel like I could do enough for those kids. I visited Rahim and his father at the hospital one last time before heading to the airport last Friday. It’s been hard to walk back into my life amidst all the holiday festivity and celebration here at home. We are so, so, so blessed here in America. -Dina
God Bless you Dina, you helped to save that precious little boy. I can imagine how difficult it is for you to come back after all that you have witnessed. We sometimes take things for granted and don’t realize how insignificant our problems can be when others are fighting for life. I hope the best for Rahim.
The video about baby boy Rahim broke my heart. I cried the whole night thinking about him. I am going to donate to HCMF through War Kids Relief. Can I designate my donation for Rahim?
Great job, Dina. You do what many of us wish we could.
Hi Susan,
Funds for HCMF are being distributed to help all the kids in the IDP camp who need medical help and warm clothes. However, if you want to donate money specifically for Rahim, please just make a note of it in the PayPal message and we will make sure that his family receives that money. It will go a long way to help them get through the winter.
Thanks SO much for your concern and willingness to help out. The HCMF fund not only helps these Afghan children in desperate need, but every donation (big or small), coming from Americans all over the WORLD is showing the Afghan people how much the American people care about them, as well. The are overwhelmed with gratitude about this amazing grassroots humanitarian effort on their behalf. Just innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, they didn’t think the world knew they even existed….but they now know how much we care. This HCMF program is making unprecedented gains towards peacebuilding in the midst of a very difficult world situation.
Makes me so proud to be an American! Thank you!
Dina