The Heart Behind House of Charity

Hashmat Effendi wears many hats, including humanitarian, author, mother and founder, to name a few. Her mission of giving back began with a single realization that every child deserves access to medical care, regardless of where they are born. As the founder and president of the House of Charity, Hashmat has devoted her life to ensuring children in underserved regions receive the medical care they need.

Hashmat’s passion for helping others began during her childhood in Pakistan, where she witnessed the devastating effects of poverty and inadequate medical resources. When she was just 11 years old, she used her family’s connections to assist struggling families by collecting medicine, clothes and books for those in need. Growing up as the child of a government official, Hashmat had access to excellent healthcare, a privilege she was determined to extend to children who were not as fortunate.

In 1981, when she was 19, Hashmat came to the United States for the first time. During her time there, she built connections with healthcare providers and learned about the comprehensive care model offered by Shriners Children’s. Inspired by their approach, she began traveling back to Pakistan, where she identified children with severe burns and brought them to the United States for treatment. “Parents are desperate,” Hashmat said. “Many complications stem from poverty. If a child is burned in Pakistan, the stigma and cultural attitudes in their community can isolate them. When that child receives care at Shriners Children’s Texas, the entire family flourishes.”

In 1997, Hashmat established the House of Charity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to specialized burn treatments for children worldwide. For decades, this organization has been a beacon of hope, and much of its success has been shaped by the collaboration and support of Shriners Children's Texas and Robert McCauley, M.D., who passed in 2020. Dr. McCauley served as the chief of reconstructive surgery and medical director of the tissue bank at Shriners Children’s Texas. His expertise in burn care, along with the resources and innovative treatments offered by Shriners Children's, have been instrumental in ensuring that children receive the highest quality of medical attention, no matter their circumstances.

Recently, Shriners Children’s Texas has played a pivotal role in supporting House of Charity’s mission by donating essential medical equipment, including dermatome devices. These specialized surgical tools, which are used for skin grafting procedures, allow doctors to treat severe burn injuries more effectively. “This donation from Shriners Children’s Texas is nothing short of a blessing,” Hashmat said. “These dermatomes are critical for treating children with severe burns and will directly impact countless lives. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and their generosity.”

House of Charity has recently launched significant initiatives to upgrade the burn and plastic surgery department at Shalamar Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, and the Najaf Burn Hospital in Iraq. Both facilities are in urgent need of advanced medical equipment and resources, and the dermatomes will play a critical role in enhancing patient care.

Beyond her medical humanitarian work, Hashmat is an advocate for education and empowerment. She has written several books that promote fire safety and burn prevention among young readers. Her most notable work, Izza's Tea Party: A Family Guide to Fire Safety and Burn Prevention, is an award-winning children’s book that combines an engaging story with practical safety lessons.

Hashmat is equally committed to advancing education for both children and medical professionals. She looks forward to organizing programs where doctors and nurses from Pakistan can visit Shriners Children’s Texas to learn best practices and techniques in burn care. “Education is key to improving outcomes,” she said.

Hashmat works closely with volunteer surgeons and healthcare teams to provide reconstructive surgeries and medical care for children in need. Over the years, House of Charity has led medical missions in countries such as Pakistan, Guatemala and Mexico, where access to specialized burn treatment is often limited. Her tireless dedication has earned her numerous awards, including the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian honor.

“In many of these countries, children who suffer severe burns are left with debilitating scars and contractures that limit their mobility,” Hashmat explained. “Without proper treatment, they face a lifetime of pain and disability. Our goal is to restore not only their physical health but also their dignity and confidence.”

Through its ongoing collaboration with Shriners Children’s Texas, House of Charity continues to transform lives. With every surgery, treatment and act of kindness, the partnership brings hope and healing to children around the globe.