×

News publications and other organizations are encouraged to reuse Direct Relief-published content for free under a Creative Commons License (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International), given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

When republishing:

  • Include a byline with the reporter’s name and Direct Relief in the following format: "Author Name, Direct Relief." If attribution in that format is not possible, include the following language at the top of the story: "This story was originally published by Direct Relief."
  • If publishing online, please link to the original URL of the story.
  • Maintain any tagline at the bottom of the story.
  • With Direct Relief's permission, news publications can make changes such as localizing the content for a particular area, using a different headline, or shortening story text. To confirm edits are acceptable, please check with Direct Relief by clicking this link.
  • If new content is added to the original story — for example, a comment from a local official — a note with language to the effect of the following must be included: "Additional reporting by [reporter and organization]."
  • If republished stories are shared on social media, Direct Relief appreciates being tagged in the posts:
    • Twitter (@DirectRelief)
    • Facebook (@DirectRelief)
    • Instagram (@DirectRelief)

Republishing Images:

Unless stated otherwise, images shot by Direct Relief may be republished for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution, given the republisher complies with the requirements identified below.

  • Maintain correct caption information.
  • Credit the photographer and Direct Relief in the caption. For example: "First and Last Name / Direct Relief."
  • Do not digitally alter images.

Direct Relief often contracts with freelance photographers who usually, but not always, allow their work to be published by Direct Relief’s media partners. Contact Direct Relief for permission to use images in which Direct Relief is not credited in the caption by clicking here.

Other Requirements:

  • Do not state or imply that donations to any third-party organization support Direct Relief's work.
  • Republishers may not sell Direct Relief's content.
  • Direct Relief's work is prohibited from populating web pages designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements.
  • Advance permission is required to translate Direct Relief's stories into a language different from the original language of publication. To inquire, contact us here.
  • If Direct Relief requests a change to or removal of republished Direct Relief content from a site or on-air, the republisher must comply.

For any additional questions about republishing Direct Relief content, please email the team here.

Bright Future Ahead for Young Girl in Pakistan with Prosthetic Limb

News

This fall, a team of staff – including International Program Coordinator, Joe Harrison – traveled to Pakistan to visit local health care partners. Much of the trip was an eye-opening experience for Harrison, but one particular girl’s story will always remain in his memory. He shares his uplifting reflection below:

At just one year old, Ain-Ul-Haya was one of the millions severely injured when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake decimated northern Pakistan in 2005, killing an estimated 80,000 people.

She was left unable to walk after the roof of the schoolhouse she was inside collapsed, crushing her right leg and requiring its amputation.

As a young child, she underwent multiple unsuccessful surgeries at a general hospital in Abbotabad. Consequently, she was left with a conical stump – painfully uncomfortable in a prosthetic – and a heavy left foot instead of the right.

It wasn’t until Ain-Ul-Haya’s family found the CHAL Rehabilitation Center six months ago that things began to improve for the now seven-year-old girl.

The CHAL Foundation is a collaborative of international organizations focused on serving the physically challenged population of Pakistan. The organization partnered with Direct Relief after the earthquake to establish a rehabilitation center in the impacted region.

The goal was to provide CHAL with the funds necessary to build and sustain the center for three years. Today four rehabilitation sites are open and fully operating, offering free services to thousands in the areas most heavily affected by the quake.

During our trip, we visited the CHAL Rehabilitation Center in Balakot. As Dr. Bakht Sarwar showed us around, I found myself surrounded by smiles and curious glances. Between the patients and the staff, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive.

Dr. Sarwar told us more about the services themselves and what he said has resonated with me ever since.

He told us that treating a patient like Ain-Ul-Haya, who has suffered the loss of a limb, is different than treating any other ailment. A prosthetic is forever.

CHAL approaches their work with this in mind. It means manufacturing prosthetic limbs and other assistive devices on site, then adjusting them further to fit the specific needs of the patient. It also means providing physical therapy, psychological counseling, and even occupational therapy. Additionally, the home of the patient often needs to be retrofitted with ramps and other fixtures designed for physically challenged individuals.

In short, what they provide to their patients is a future.

Upon meeting the bold and confident Ain-Ul-Haya, it was clear they have given her just that.

The young girl has been to the center seven times since the first appointment. She is now outfitted with a new, more comfortable prosthetic. A physical therapist is working with her to improve overall movement and meticulously monitors her progress.

Moreover, a team of talented surgeons are preparing her for one last corrective surgery, insuring that she thrives as she grows. A CHAL outreach worker has visited her home nine times to follow up on the treatment, track educational development and promote social integration.

The loss of a limb presents life-long challenges indeed. But as Ain-Ul-Haya shows us, a little assistance offers a future full of possibilities.

Giving is Good Medicine

You don't have to donate. That's why it's so extraordinary if you do.