Shakira Effendi doesn’t remember a time when she could look in the mirror and see the face she was born with. What she does remember are the stares she would attract everywhere she went because of the severe burns, covering most of her body including her face, head, and arms, suffered as an infant while sleeping in her bed.

“I was about a year old in 2008, and my family lived in Pakistan,” Miss Effendi explained about her injuries. “Our home was in the Swat Valley, which was under attack from drones. There was an explosion and fire at our house. They think it came from that.”

Her family moved to Texas when Miss Effendi was 7 or 8 years old, settling in Plano, where she received extensive plastic surgery. She didn’t like going to school or doing anything in public because of the prying eyes. Around that time, Miss Effendi was introduced to Camp Amigo – a weekend escape for pediatric plastic surgery patients to bond and find acceptance.

Shakira Effendi, 18, attended Camp Amigo for eight years as a camper; 2025 was her first year as a counselor.

“I came here about eight times over the years, and I looked forward to it so much,” Miss Effendi said. “It’s here that I learned to really embrace myself. I became more confident talking to people, made a lot of friends, and began to feel more secure.”

This year, Miss Effendi flipped the script, switching roles from camper to counselor. She joined a 19-member UT Southwestern Craniofacial Plastic Surgery team – surgeons, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, residents, psychologists, and other nonmedical personnel – who volunteer annually to host the September summer camp held at Camp John Marc, a nature area about an hour and a half southwest of Dallas near Meridian.

They unite to create a safe space where kids who face complications in their life no child should endure can forget their troubles and have a chance to unwind and simply have some fun.

“I love to be here. There are a lot of great memories for me,” Miss Effendi said. “But it also makes me feel good to help out kids who are going through the same things I went through a few years ago.”

Thomas Holder, 8, tries to reel in a fish during his stay at Camp Amigo. His catch helped propel his team to a decisive win in a boys vs. girls fishing tournament.

The weekend getaway included a boys versus girls fishing tournament, zip-lining, campfire singing, arts and crafts, archery, sports, and plenty of time to hang out and chat with new friends. Founded in 1992, Camp Amigo is open to kids ages 6-16 who have craniofacial differences due to conditions such as cleft lips or palates, or injuries caused by burns or other accidents.

Alex Kane, M.D., FACS, FAAP, Vice Chairman and Crystal Charity Ball Distinguished Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern and Division Director of Pediatric and Craniofacial Surgery at Children’s Health, has been volunteering at Camp Amigo for about 15 summers. It’s one of his favorite experiences of the year.

“I’ve definitely collected a lot of T-shirts over the years,” Dr. Kane said with a laugh. “But I always look forward to being here because it’s such a great experience for everyone. It’s wonderful in that it’s an important opportunity to get away from fears and worries and just let kids be kids.”

Dr. Kane said the Pediatric Craniofacial Plastic team volunteers to staff the camp to help keep it free of charge for the kids who attend. He believes that no child should have to pass on an opportunity to take a break from their troubles because it’s not in the family budget.

Riley Whitloch, 11, scales a climbing wall to the top of the zip-line tower during her first visit to Camp Amigo.

Plastic surgery is about more than improving appearance, he said. It’s about restoring the patient’s self-esteem and helping them feel comfortable in their own skin.

“This is a place where the kids shouldn’t have to think about their worries and fears,” Dr. Kane said. “We do this because it’s important to give them a chance to just be a kid, make some friends, and let their guard down.”

Riley Whitlock, 11, of Hillsboro, said this summer was her first trip to Camp Amigo. She can’t wait to come back next year.

“I loved the zip-lining and making friendship bracelets the best,” Riley said when asked about her favorite activities. “It was also nice to get away from everything and just get to be myself.”

She bravely scaled the zip-line tower and took a thrilling flight through the air, among other activities that took her mind off her troubles – including a pesky big brother at home.

Riley after successfully conquering the zip line.

Riley’s dad, Charles Whitlock, said he was glad to hear she had a good time at Camp Amigo. He was even happier to see the long-term effect the experience has had on her since she came home.

“For her to meet more friends and spend time with her doctors, it was a great opportunity for her to expand her horizons,” Mr. Whitlock said. “She came out of her shell and has been out of her shell ever since camp. She is making more friends at school now, too.”

As important as healing from yet another plastic surgery, the kids basked in the warm summer sun and the chance to escape, relax, and recharge.

Miss Effendi has transformed since her first days at Camp Amigo into a confident high school senior. She’s excited to graduate in the fall and attend a local university, where she plans to study cybersecurity. She’s grateful for the boost the program gave her and hopes to continue volunteering, sharing what she’s learned with future campers.

“I want to keep coming here as long as I can,” Miss Effendi said. “I think this is a great thing. I know how much it means to me, and I hope I can help make it a meaningful experience for the younger kids, too.”