News Bulletin

July 2013

HOPE Superstar Tareque: Cleft Survivor

Tareque, a 3-year old boy from Chakaria, Coxs Bazar was born with cleft lip and palate. His parents were unaware of the importance of folic acid for mothers during pregnancy. Before After Tareque was kept hidden away from other children and his relatives, due to the terrible stigmatization and embarrassment his parents felt. Tareques parents knew his deformity could be repaired and attempted to take him for surgery at Chittagong Lion Hospital but due to lack of transportation Tareque missed his surgery. His parents had heard about HOPE Hospital and their services and immediately registered him for surgery. Tareques surgery was a success, and his parents now bring him to social functions with no hesitation! The surgery was done by noted Bangladeshi cleft surgeon Dr. B.K. Das with the help from SmileTrain. Many thanks to our partner Smile Train, for their continued support.

UK Medical Students take their Electives at HOPE!

HOPE hosted medical students from Cardiff University, Wales in May. Aneesha Shajahan, Roisin Flanagan and Emma Slaney rotated at HOPE Hospital for one month elective for their final year at medical school. The three students saw patients, assisted in the teaching of the midwifery students, and helped provide training to hospital staff. They came to Bangladesh eager to see the medical needs of a truly rural area, and feel that they gained a UK medical students teaching the HOPE Midunique hands-on experience in global health. HOPE is incredibly grateful to our guest students who truly assist in wifery students. serving the neediest!

HOPES NEW PARTNERS!!

Resurge International: Teachers without Borders: www.resurge.org www.teacherswithoutborders.org/

UPCOMING HOPE FUNDRAISING EVENT:

An evening of inspiration, good food and great company:
University of Texas at Dallas Galaxy Room A,B&C, 800 W Campbell Rd Richardon, Texas August 18th, 2013

Contact person: A.K.M. Azad 805-218-9349

http://www.hopeforbangladesh.org

Hope News Bulletin, July 2013

News Bulletin
July 2013

Incredible Perseverance: One Fistula Survivors Fight to be Completely Cured

In May 2013, the renowned fistula surgeon, Dr. Steven Arrowsmith returned to conduct HOPEs fourth Obstetric Fistula Camp through our partner, The Fistula Foundation. In total, Dr. Arrowsmith completed 18 surgeries and Dr. Biswas, HOPEs Resident OB/GYN has recently completed 4 of his own Fistula surgeries. The story of the courageous Firoza Begum caught the attention of many, as she truly demonstrates why HOPE continues to do the work it is so passionate about.

Firoza Begum: A Fighter for Life!

Firozas story begins at an incredibly young age. Firoza was just nine years old when her parents married her off to an older man. At age 15 she became pregnant for the first time, and was unaware that she should see a doctor to receive antenatal care. Firoza was in labor for eight days. Neither the traditional birth attendant or her parents realized that she was in great jeopardy of losing her baby, and her own life. The moment the baby was found to be a stillborn, the traditional birth attendant left Firoza, a scared young girl with complications and the sadness of her dead child. Her husband had not come for the delivery, and upon hearing that his child did not make it, he filed a case against Firozas parents, claiming they were to blame for the death of the child. Firoza was suffering from both stool and urine incontinence. A stay in a local medical college hospital afforded Firoza the opportunity to have reparative surgery for her fistula. Unfortunately, it was solely the stool incontinence that ceased, and she continued to suffer with the urine incontinence for a further 10 years! It was a blessing that Firoza could receive her second surgery for fistula at HOPE Hospital free of charge, as the poor woman, now 25, could never afford the payment for two surgeries. The doctors who worked with Firoza are optimistic that one day Firoza will be completely healed. She is now living with her brothers and financially unstable due to her incontinence. As she is so young, she truly has her entire life ahead of her. http://www.hopeforbangladesh.org Hope News Bulletin, July 2013 Unfortunately, Firoza requires additional surgery and care as the second surgery was not a complete success. This is common with women who have complicated cases, especially in girls who are incredibly young delivering their first child. HOPE and Firoza are dedicated to a full recovery and a bright future for this young woman who refuses to give up. Firoza is eagerly looking forward to Dr. Arrowsmiths return to HOPE in a few months.

News Bulletin
July 2013

Donor of the Quarter: Mr. Iqbal Amin

Drs. Iqbal and Nafisa Amin of St. Louis, Missouri are HOPEs Donors of the Quarter! They have been consistent supporter of HOPEs work for the past few years. When asked why they donate to HOPE, the physician couple responded with the following:
Hope Foundation has made incredible effort in changing lives of the people in Bangladesh. To
us it is a reliable medium of donating to help the needy people of Bangladesh. Many of us proactive Bangladeshis want to extend our helping hand towards the people our of motherland. It is difficult to find a genuine channel for that purpose. We think HOPE Foundation is a de-

pendable medium and we wish its continued success.

HOPEs Treasurer Travels to Matt Malin, Director of Bangladesh and Comes Back HOPEs International Energized Programs Visits Mr. Ali Munju, Treasurer of HOPE Foundation traveled to Bangladesh Bangladesh in May. Mr. Munjus trip was completely refreshing for this devout HOPE supporter. Not only was Mr. Munju able to observe Dr. Arrowsmiths Obstetric Fistula camp while it was ongoing, he was able to speak with the fistula patients and hear from them how HOPE has helped them. Mr. Munju was especially excited to meet with the students from HOPEs Community Based Midwifery Program. It was thrilling to see how busy HOPE is, not only with the healthcare services but now with the training, Mr. Munju pointed out. The midwifery students expressed their absolute gratitude in being selected for the program and being able to make a career for themselves. Mr. Munju was able to meet with Coxs Bazars Assistant Police Commissioner Mr. Babulakter as well as the Acting Principal of Ramu College, who identified HOPEs growing programs to show real change happening in Coxs Bazar. He especially acknowledges the gracious hosting at HOPE Hospital by Chief Operating Officer Mr. Nayak and Country Director Mr. Shoaib. Mr. Munju is ecstatic regarding HOPEs progress!

HOPEs Director of International Programs, Mr. Matt Malin, also visited Bangladesh in May. His visit included the monitoring and evaluation of the progress of our projects as well as expand HOPEs network. While in Bangladesh, Mr. Malin met with US Ambassador Honorable Dan Mozena and many high-ranking individuals within USAID, as well as many other governmental representatives of international organization. Mr. Malin continued to network with likeminded organizations and non-profits in order to further expand ideas into improving HOPEs programs as well as consider potential areas of collaboration among organizations. Hope News Bulletin, July 2013

Mr. Ali Munju with the Midwifery students during class.

http://www.hopeforbangladesh.org

News Bulletin
July 2013

YOUR Donations at Work: HOPE in Pictures

Ora Dekornfield, a student from UNC(USA) documenting HOPEs outreach activities

Midwifery students on Safe Motherhood Day!

May 2013 Fistula Camp patients

Dr. Arrowsmith mentoring HOPE staff

We need YOUR support to continue our work! Please send your tax- deductible contribution to:
Hope Foundation 16401 NW 2nd Ave, Ste 202 Miami, FL 33169 Check payable to: HOPE FOUNDATION Or donate online:www.hopeforbangladesh.org
Young patients at a HOPE Medical Center

HOPEsTax ID 65-0925102

Editorial Board: Anjumanara Mahmood, Ashley Pugh For comments and questions please write to: hopefoundation.usoffice@gmail.com

Phone: 305 318 0142

http://www.hopeforbangladesh.org

Hope News Bulletin, July 2013