New Delhi: Deepmala, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, suffered serious burn injuries after her husband threw acid on her face following a heated argument in February this year. Deepmala's parents are very poor and are in dire need of monetary help to meet the medical expenses, which come to around INR 25,000 (approx. USD 400) per month.
Deepmala's parents wanted their daughter to become teacher. However, after marriage, Deepmala's husband was not comfortable with her going out for studies or for teaching. She would protest against this, and during one such argument in February 2014, Deepmala’s husband threw acid on her face.
Deepmala suffered serious burn injuries due to the acid attack, which has also left her blinded. Her eyelids, part of her scalp and her nose have melted. She has also suffered injuries on her hands and legs. She has also lost her vision.
Make Love Not Scars (MLNS) has taken the initiative to help the distressed parents and plans to shift Deepmala to Mumbai, where MLNS has partnered with a senior specialist doctor who is a recipient of Padma Shri – one of the highest civilian awards issued by the Government of India.
Make Love Not Scars (https://www.facebook.com/makeluvnotscars?ref=hl) is a unique youth initiative to rehabilitate survivors of acid attacks and other forms of gender-based violence and discrimination and facilitate their integration with society. It is a group of energetic, passionate and committed youth who are keen to make a positive impact on our society through meaningful groundwork.
How will your contribution be used
The money raised from this campaign will be used to help Deepmala shift to Mumbai and undergo treatment under the care of the specialist doctor. A part of the fund will also be used to help the family with living expenses. Not more than 5 percent of the amount collected will be used by Make Love Not Scars to meet administrative expenses.
With your support, MLNS can help a young and hopeful acid attack survivor bounce back in life.
Leveraging social media for their first campaign, MLNS created a Facebook page for acid attack survivor Rekha (https://www.facebook.com/rekha.acidattacksurvivor?ref=hl), which helped in raising close to USD 1,500 for the victim. The group donated the funds to a reputed private hospital in Bangalore, where Rekha is presently undergoing treatment. Later, it raised around USD 3,500 for Rekha through Indiegogo, and these funds are also being used for her treatment. Their next Indiegogo campaign for acid attack survivor Reshma helped raise almost USD 9,000 to fund her treatment.
MLNS also managed to raise around USD 1,800 to help acid attach survivor Lalita get a new face. Both Reshma and Lalita are being treated in Mumbai under the care of the same specialist doctor who will also operate upon Deepmala.
Deepmala's campaign is the fourth in the series of campaigns for the treatment of survivors of acid attacks. All our campaigns are transparently managed, regularly updating contributors about the total amount collected and details of expenses made.
