Since 1969, Interplast has transformed the lives of those with clefts and disabling burns in developing countries-providing free reconstructive surgery and building medical capacity.

Some things just do not work out like they should. Mosquito nets are valuable for preventing malaria, but unfortunately they also are very flammable. While we have no hard data on the number of burns caused by mosquito nets catching on fire, we are seeing more and more tragic burns as a result of a mosquito net fire. Babor, age 6, was studying one evening when he heard his baby niece crying. He took his kerosene lamp, the only type of light in the home, to go check on her. The baby was under a mosquito net and as Babor approached, the flame of his lamp touched the netting and started a fire. Even at 6 years of age, he had the presence of mind to remove the mosquito netting quickly so that the baby would not be caught on fire too. As he did, the netting caught his clothes on fire and he received a very severe burn on the right arm and right side of his body. Because of his quick thinking and courage, the baby was not harmed. Interplast released his burn contracture under his arm; after healing, this will restore his ability to raise his arm. We were very thankful that we were able to help this brave boy.