February 15th, 2024

Weekly Newsletter

Who do you care for?

Hope from the Nasir Hospital Care Fund

Nine-year old Marcelo is in his 3rd year of primary school and likes mathematics and speaking English. While he loves to play soccer and is part of his school team, playing is risky for him. When he was just three years old, Marcelo began experiencing asthmatic crisis. If he plays too long, especially in chilly weather, his symptoms worsen. Last year, his mother Natalia noticed the Nasir Hospital sign and turned to us for help. She is grateful that she did. Marcelo has been hospitalized 4 times in one year for treatment and recovery.

A young boy sits at a desk next to a large oxygen tank. He has a tablet in front of him and boxes of medications next to him as he smiles for the picture.

Marcelo lives with his mother Natalia and his maternal grandparents near the hospital in an area of the country with a high poverty rate.

Natalia makes an inconsistent income in sales to support the family. Even so, the family rescues dogs that are in danger. They currently have 7 and playing with them is an activity that Marcelo quite enjoys.

There is no cure for Marcelo’s asthma, only treatment. The proximity to Nasir Hospital for Marcelo’s treatment and financial assistance through the Care Fund are very valuable for the family. Natalia appreciates the timely and quality care that they have received from doctors and other staff at Nasir Hospital.

Above: Marcelo recovers in the hospital.

Right: Marcelo and his mother, Natalia

A young boy and his mom smile brightly as the boy sits at a desk in the hospital next to a large oxygen tank and his mom crouches next to him for the picture.

Help kids like Marcelo

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Humanity First USA is proud to feature some of its science teachers

Guatemala

Meet María Yolanda Méndez González , who teaches science, math & art to two kinder sections of 23 students in Guatemala. Outside of school she has two kiddo's at home!

Meet María del Rosario Galindo Catalán, she teaches 21 third graders science, math & art! Outside of school her own son is almost in middle school!

Meet Rosa María de León Bracamonte, who teaches 24 students in our preparatory (Kínder 3) class! She teaches Science, Math and Art to her young learners!

Bamako, Mali

Meet Salimata Dembélé, she teaches 55 fourth graders! She teaches Science and various other subjects. Outside the school she is a mother to four kiddo's.

Meet Assanatou Dembélé, a 5th-grade teacher! She passionately guides a classroom of 68 students, in science and various subjects. Outside of school she is a mother of a kiddo!

Meet Djénébou Coulibaly, she teaches 59 kinder students! She teaches Science and various other subjects. Outside the school she is a mother to five kiddo's.

Learn More About Knowledge For Life

Food Security in America

"I just want to say thank you to the entire staff"

The Humanity First USA food distribution in Manassas Virginia takes place at the Masroor Mosque, which has been our partner for food storage and distribution since 2020.

“Masroor Mosque has been a great help in assisting the community with food items. They assist family [sic] on a monthly basis and the food products are always great qualities [sic]. I’m very thankful that Masroor Mosque and staff are very helpful, professional, and doesn’t [sic] discriminate to [sic] their community. This is by far an outstanding service they provide to the less fortunate and people that are having a difficult time to provide food to their families. I just want to say thank you to the entire staff for their hard work and dedication to the public.” Sincerely, Raquel.

We thank Raquel for her trust and our Manassas volunteers for their commitment and service. If someone you know in the Manassas area could use support, they can register for food here: https://humanityfirstusa.org/portfolio/manassas-food-pantry/

Learn more about Food Security

Palestine Relief Efforts:

Health care continues through a precarious time

Humanity First USA partner Anera held health clinics in both Rafah and Khan Younis earlier this week, despite the looming uncertainty of a planned offensive in Rafah. Anera explains how their team is adapting to the worsening situation.

In the clinics, they share that “We have incorporated a new specialization into our team. A nutritionist is on hand to assess people’s weight and also to provide guidance to women with malnourished children on preparing healthy meals for their families using the food items they have already received through humanitarian aid.”

Photos courtesy of Anera.

A man wearing a surgical mask uses a stethoscope to listen to the chest of an elderly man who is seated and holding a cane. A woman sits behind a table observing. A sign reads medical healthcare free health day with the logos of Anera and Humanity First.

Four people stand to the left of a table that is covered in boxes and bottles of medication and three women stand to the right to receive the medications. In the background is a sign reading free health day.

Disaster Relief Team

Explores U.S. expansion and training

An expanded vision for Disaster Relief in the U.S. was mapped out this past weekend as the senior program leaders gathered for a team retreat. This vision strengthens disaster preparation and response at the local level.

Fifty cities and regions that correspond with a strong Humanity First base will be supported to train more women to improve care of all genders in disaster zones, to prepare more medical professionals for medical response during disasters, and guide local teams on a standard model for cooking during emergencies. The team has identified potential regional DR “hubs” where we can store supplies and coordinate a regional response to a crisis. These plans will expand our ability to serve near and far when disaster strikes.

Support Disaster Relief

Don't forget to check it out :)

HFUSA supporters have enjoyed the new website's home page, interactive impact map, and easy ways to donate. They have explored the pages for HF Healthcare Services, Kids 4 Humanity, and our upcoming 20th Anniversary events. If you haven't seen it yet, take a look! Find us now at: https://humanityfirstusa.org/.