SHEA: Bridging medical care for children in need from Guyana to the United States

In a heartfelt mission to extend a lifeline to children in Guyana facing medical emergencies, Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in New York, stands as a beacon of hope. Founded by Guyanese natives Lori and her husband, Ken Narine, SHEA has dedicated itself to facilitating life-saving medical treatment for children and, in some instances, abused women who require urgent care not available locally. The Narines’ journey with SHEA began with a profound commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

One of SHEA’s primary functions is to advocate for children who cannot receive adequate treatment locally due to the severity of their condition or the lack of specialized medical facilities. By leveraging its network of medical professionals and international partnerships, SHEA facilitates connections between these children and suitable healthcare providers abroad, ensuring they receive the urgent care they desperately need, often at little to no cost.

SHEA’s work goes beyond merely facilitating medical treatment. They understand that navigating the complexities of medical emergencies can be daunting, particularly for families already facing financial strain. As such, SHEA extends comprehensive support to affected families, including assistance with immigration needs to facilitate prompt access to medical care in the United States.

Georgetown Public Hospital and Medevac team preparing patient for transfer to the United States for treatment. Photo courtesy SHEA Charity

“Once we make that connection and the international organization accepts the child, we assist the family with their immigration and travel needs…we get them to the facility for treatment and support them from start to finish, where the parent can focus on the child and not worry about where their meals are coming from or transportation, we fund all of these needs so the parent can support the child and the child can get the treatment they need,” Lori explained.

While anyone can reach out to the organization for assistance, SHEA requires that cases be recommended by a doctor in Guyana and that all options for medical treatment within the country be exhausted before they can take action. “If it’s a burn case, we have to do a humanitarian role, which we work with the Embassy and Ministry in Guyana and get them an emergency medical clearance so they can travel and don’t have to go through the whole long immigration process…if treatment goes beyond the time frame that their visa allows them to stay in the United States we file for visa extensions while they child is receiving treatment,” she further explained.

They emphasize that the human resource assistance they receive is entirely voluntary, highlighting that all individuals have full-time jobs yet remain dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission.

Neleissa La Rose sustained 3rd degree burns across 70% of her body. She lost one of her legs to this accident. However, she has been fitted with a prosthetic leg and receives regular follow-up care. Photo courtesy SHEA Charity

In 2023, SHEA successfully intervened to save the lives of seven critically ill children from Guyana, including cases of severe burns, cancer, brain tumors, and kidney failure. Tragically, at the beginning of 2024, SHEA experienced the loss of two children. One child had sustained severe burns despite the organization’s efforts. Additionally, another child succumbed to cancer.

Addressing the funding aspect of their operation, she elaborated on their efforts to secure government funding and grants for their organization, emphasizing that their diligent pursuits have yet to be successful. SHEA Charity is a publicly funded organization.

“Whenever we get a case, we put it out on social media, and that’s how we get funding from businesses in Guyana and New York, but aside from that, we don’t get grants in any form…we have to raise enough money to bring the child here and sustain them for the duration of their stay some of our patients stay here for at least two years.”

Through their tireless efforts, SHEA Charity has demonstrated the power of compassion and community to transform lives and offer hope to those in need.

“People can help by spreading the word when they see we have a case on social media. Even if they can’t donate, if they share it, someone within their network can help…of course for them to donate.”

Lori also expressed a need for support from organizations willing to provide grants, emphasizing that such assistance would significantly enhance their ability to carry out their vital work. To extend support to SHEA, please visit their website at https://savinghandsemergencyaid.org/.

They are also hosting a fundraising dinner and dance on April 27th at Maleen Banquet Hall. All proceeds from the event will support their cause.