Relief Programs

Burn Surgery International:

The Vision:
Cents of Relief's Burn Surgery International provides treatment for burn injuries suffered indigent including women in prostitution and their children. Cents of Relief has developed a multi-partnership with the National Burns Centre (www.burns-india.com), Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org), and Harvard Brigham and Women's Hospital (www.brighamandwomens.org) to provide missions where surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and physical therapists will treat patients otherwise without access to burn care. Through minor surgical procedures including skin grafts and local flaps, we hope to restore cosmetic and functional form to these burn victims.

Please click on the documentary, filmed by Aditi Anand, to see coverage of our inaugural mission.

Overview:

The Scope:
Burns in developing countries are a significant health concern, particularly in India, where it ranks amongst the leading causes of death. This is even more staggering considering that many burn injuries and fatalities go unreported in the rural settings and red-light areas. Many etiologies, both medical and cultural, are responsible for the high incidence of burns with the lack of safety precautions and medical care exacerbating the situation. Burn Surgery International endeavors to increase the outreach of burn care, the awareness of burn safety, and understanding about therapeutic interventions for burns.

Demographics:
Women and children remain at greatest risk for burn injuries. The inferior status that certain communities hold women in makes them susceptible to domestic abuse and trafficking. This in turn leads to suicide attempts including through burns to escape their misery. Furthermore, women and children trafficked into prostitution are coerced into sex slavery through various mechanisms including being burned by flame, cigarettes, and acid. The incidence of burns remains high among children due the poor preventive measures outlined below.

Many of these patients are untreated due to the lack of access and intervention to burn care. This leads to contractures, or hypertrophic scarring, that often limit functional ability in life.

Developing Awareness:
Burn safety remains low, particularly among those in poverty, contributing to a number of preventable injuries. First, the routine use of open-flames for cooking increases the likelihood of burn injuries given many women wear saris and many children play in the cooking area. Second, the inappropriate handling of fireworks used to celebrate Indian holidays leads to a number of burn injuries. For example, a person will light the firework in his hand or with too many people in the vicinity burning himself and others. Yet, all of these injuries can be decreased with a comprehensive burn awareness campaign teaching about the dangers of open-flames or fireworks. To this end, we developed a burn comic book permitting those who are illiterate to educate themselves regarding burn safety.

Leadership:
Board of directors biosketches with roles you deem appropriate:
James Watkins, MD, MSc: Dr. Watkins received his medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1991 followed by a Masters in Science in Applied Medical Statistics from University of Oxford. He completed his residency at Beth Israel Hospital before spending six years as a management consultant working with clients in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries on strategy, acquisitions, performance improvement and operations. In 2003 he decided to return to surgical practice and completed additional training at the Guthrie Clinic, Robert Packer Hospital and a fellowship in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Watkins is currently involved in a number of clinical trials related to Trauma and Critical Care.
Indranil Sinha, MD
Huong Tran, MD
Francis Kim, MD

Types of Treatment:
Use pictures and videos for this and write up whatever is done during Jan. trip
(1) Release of contracture of body part enabling restoration of function to participate in income generating projects
(2) Cosmetic improvement of injured area enabling integration into society
(3) Disemination of burns including precautions and treatment via comic book geared towards school-aged children

Patient Stories:
* Use videos/pics/written description of demographics; this will have a page of a patient with photo (left side) documenting the following (right-side of picture):
* Access to the Excel Demographics SpreadsheetAge of Injury, Age at Treatment, Mechanism of Injury, Burn Issue, Treatment Provided

Donor Opportunities:
Medical/Surgical Supplies:
Sutures:
- 4-0 nylon sutures
- 3-0 nylon sutures
- 5-0 nylon sutures
- 4-0 chromic sutures
- 4-0 vicryl sutures

Medications:
- Keflex
- Oxycodone
- Acetaminophen
- Cefuroxime

Dressing Supplies:
- 4”x8” Xerform
- Xeroform rolls
- 4”x8” gauze
- 2” paper tape
- 4” x 6” Tagaderm
- 3” Plaster
- 3” Webroll
- 2” ACE wrap
- Sterile foam (for Bolster use)
- VAC machine, ? foam

OR supplies:
- Zimmer dermatome
- Watson Knife
- Goulian Knife
- Watson Blades
- Goulian Blades
- Skin Graft Mesher
- Skin Staplers
- Bovie Pens (battery operated)
- Brennen Mesher with 2:1 and 3:1 gaurds

Research:
Of the estimated 11% of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to surgical disease, burns comprise a significant percentage. We are transforming our clinical experience into interdisciplinary outcomes research that ultimately aims to develop innovative and cost-effective strategies to provide global burn care. Furthermore, we are interested in approaches to curb the health disparities, particularly relevant to surgery, among the population our charity serves. Please find below some of our recent publications and manuscripts in progress:

Publications:
Manuscripts in Progress:
Volunteer Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various volunteer opportunities.
(1) Medical Volunteers:
*Location: Mission Sites
*Time Commitment: 2 weeks or greater
*Roles:

a) Medical Professions: All board-certified physicians in the listed fields would be welcomed to accompany and help lead one of our mission trips:
• Plastic Surgeon
• Trauma and Critical Care Surgeon
• Anesthesiologist
• Pediatrician
• Pediatric Intensivist
• Nursing

b) Residents In-Training: All residents in the listed fields would be welcome to assist on trips provide the fill out a completed application obtained by emailing cor(AT)centsofrelief.org and provide two letters of support from physicians in their area of training.
• Surgery (any specialty)
• Anesthesiology
• Pediatrics

c) Medical/Nursing Students: With an aim to cultivate a passion for global health, we will permit medical and nursing students on mission trips. A completed application obtained by emailing cor(AT)centsofrelief.org and two letters of support must be submitted for consideration.

(2) Research: Given our interdisciplinary approach, we are seeking a variety of backgrounds to assist with our efforts. By having different branches of medicine collaborate with economists, epidemiologists, and mathematicians, we aim to develop optimal solutions for reducing the global burn burden.
*Time Commitment: 2 hours per week for at a minimum of 3 months
*Role: Perform analytical research based on data obtained from mission trips
Please email cor@centsofrelief.org for all inquires.

CoR Comic Books:
Overview: Our comic book line seeks to overcome the literarcy barrier and teach children in a fun-fashion a variety of educational concepts from burn safety to human trafficking. Our two artists, Zafreen Syed and Ryan Hanser (click here for more information on the artists), created our first comic book that involved teaching burn prevention by following young child through one of the holidays where burns are more prevalent. An Adobe PDF sample of the book is below. The Impact: The Burn Safety Book was piloted in local schools in West Virginia with impressive results. At baseline, less than 50% of the children in kindergarten knew that handle fireworks could cause injury or to stop, drop and roll when on fire. With the comic book intervention, the number comprehending these facts jumped to greater than 80%. These findings have been submitted for presentation at the American Burns Association annual meeting. Furthermore, a substantial number of Mumbai schools have adopted the comic book for its own classes. Future Directions: Given the success of the burn comic book, Zafreen and Ryan are in the process of creating a trafficking that will help children and parents gain an understanding of human trafficking. The book will be out in 2010 with expected support from the UN and UNICEF. Bios of Artistis: Zafreen Syed
Ryan Hanser

PDF Sample:

Please email cor@centsofrelief.org for all inquires.

eMentoring:

Overview:
eMentoring aims to build the educational foundation of children and teenagers, or eMentees, in the red-light area by developing their English and computer skills. Utilizing a curriculum developed by Cents of Relief and Apne Aap, the eMentees enrolled in the program will take English classes twice per week and computer classes twice per week. The program will pair each eMentee with a U.S. based eMentor permitting an exchange of weekly emails that will allow the eMentees to hone their skills and eMentors to combat human trafficking.

Benefits: (1) The English and computer skills taught to the eMentees will better their chances of gaining admission into schools and obtaining vocational occupations to leave the red-light area.
(2) The eMentor will assist the eMentee in learning English and motivating them to practice the acquire computer skills in order to receive email updates.
(3) A cultural exchange allowing both the eMentee and eMentor to teach each other about their respective beliefs and values.
(4) An establishment of a rewarding friendship.

English Skills Taught:
*Reading
*Writing
*Communication

Computer Skills Taught:
*Word Processing
*eMail
*Web Browsing
*Spreadsheets
*Graphic design

Volunteer Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various volunteer opportunities.
(1) Teacher in India:
*Location: Kolkata, India or Mumbai, India
*Time Commitment: 3 weeks or greater
*Role: Provide instruction the eMentee in the skills above based on the curriculum developed; Modify curriculum as appropriate
(2) eMentor:
*Time Commitment: 30 minutes per week for at a minimum of 3 months
*Role: Write weekly email that helps eMentee practice their classroom skills; Help eMentee understand culture in America
(3) Curriculum Advisor
*Time Commitment: 1 month or greater
*Role: Assist with additions with English and computer skills
(4) Educational Evaluator
*Assessing educational interventions

Donor Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various donor opportunities.
(1) Educational Foundations: This program may be a bridge for inner-city children to share experiences with a group of children in India in similar socioeconomic situations.
(2) Educational Supplies: Donate laptops, desktops, wireless router, internet

Please email cor@centsofrelief.org for all inquires.

Rx Healthy Solutions:

Overview: Cents of Relief's Rx Healthy Solutions increases access to healthcare for women in prostitution and their children. Health Kits: Cents of Relief is providing health kits filled with medications, First Aid, and hygiene supplies to women in prostitution. The women return once a month for refill of supplies without fail. This demonstrates a commitment on their part and recognition that they now know their health is important. This upcoming year we hope to continue increasing the number of women participating in this program by increasing the number of community kits provided.

Health Check-Ups/Clinic Consultations:
Cents of Relief is providing women in prostitution and their children regular clinical check-ups and referral visits if necessary. Counseling and rehabilitation from chronic alcohol and drug use are available for those willing to participate in these services. To make these programs sustainable and require less funding, we are investing in training staff to become community health volunteers. We hope this will help reduce STDs and urinary tract infections among women, while helping them abstain from alcohol and drugs. This upcoming year we hope to permit more women clinical check-ups and permit their children access to similar check-ups. To this end, we will need to hire a pediatrician who can come to the shelter two times per week.

Benefits:
(1) Improvement of public health conditions in the area.
(2) Hygiene education among women in prostitution and their children
Volunteer Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various volunteer opportunities.
(1) Health-related worker in India:
*Location: Kolkata, India
*Time Commitment: 3 weeks or greater
*Role: Provide healthcare education ranging from basic hygiene to HIV/AIDS in workshops

Donor Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various donor opportunities.
(1) Health Kits: $1 to refill that includes medicines, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste
(2) Health Check-Ups: Assist with healthcare needs of women in prostitution and their children

Please email cor@centsofrelief.org for all inquires.

Crafting Change:
Overview:
Using handicrafts as a medium of expression and income-generating venture, Cents of Relief's Crafting Change project aims to empower women in prostitution and their children to leave behind the red-light area. The skill of knitting and sewing assist in the creation a diverse line of products from scrub hats to iPod covers to purses. We have a zero tolerance policy towards child labor and all money earned for products by children are invested back into purchasing supplies to create more crafts and each child's education. Women in prostitution are permitted to keep their earnings to support themselves and increases their chances to escape the bondage of sex slavery.

Shop Now: 100% of the profit goes to the maker of the craft enabling educational and/or vocational advancement!

Benefits:
(1) The children and women in prostitution wiill be able to express themselves through their artistic creations.
(2) Children learn artistic skills, while supporting the cost of their education.
(3) Women in prostitution gain a revenue stream that may enable them to escape the red-light area.

Volunteer Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various volunteer opportunities.
(1) Teacher in India:
*Location: Kolkata, India
*Time Commitment: 3 weeks or greater
*Role: Provide artistic education: painting, sewing, knitting, pottery

Donor Opportunity: Cents of Relief has various donor opportunities.
(1) Artistic Supplies: paint brushes, canvases, yarn, needles, thimble, crayons, paper

Please email cor@centsofrelief.org for all inquires.