The world often forgets that within the deepest darkness, the most radiant light can be found. This is the story of the Brave Souls Foundation, a beacon of hope rising from the ashes of adversity, built by the unwavering spirit of acid attack survivors. Its foundation is laid not in brick and mortar, but in the indomitable resilience of women like Shaheen Malik.
In 2009, Shaheen's life was ripped apart as she descended the familiar stairs of her college. A masked attacker threw acid at her, forever etching the scars of violence onto her skin. But Shaheen refused to be defined by this act of cruelty. Instead, she rose from the ashes, her spirit forged anew. In this profound moment of self-realisation, Shaheen founded Brave Souls Foundation, an organisation dedicated to providing holistic support to acid attack survivors.
It is crucial to understand the barbaric nature of acid attacks. These heinous acts mostly target the face, and their intention is clear: to disfigure, maim, torture, or even kill. The consequences are devastating, leaving victims with severe, permanent scarring, blindness, and in some cases, even death.
Sadly, most victims are women, targeted for spurned advances or societal prejudices. In a culture obsessed with physical beauty, their dreams of romance and marriage vanish, replaced by social ostracization. The burden of lifelong treatment, multiple surgeries, and lost income often leads to abandonment by their own families, adding another layer of pain to their trauma.
One of the foundation's crucial initiatives is "Apna Ghar," a sanctuary for survivors who often find themselves abandoned by their families. Apna Ghar offers a secure space where survivors receive not only the best medical care but also access to education, including English and computer classes, and psychological therapy. The foundation's vision extends beyond physical healing; it encompasses empowering survivors with the tools they need to reclaim their lives.
Educating survivors about their rights is another pivotal aspect of Brave Souls Foundation's work. Many survivors are unaware of their legal rights, and the organisation aims to rectify this by providing legal assistance, seeking justice in criminal cases, and ensuring rightful compensation for survivors. Currently, the foundation is actively involved in over 150 cases, working towards justice and healing.
The spirit of the survivors themselves is the lifeblood of the Brave Souls Foundation. Despite the scars, the pain, the societal ostracization, their eyes are alight with a fierce determination to dream and thrive. They are living proof of the human spirit's indomitability, refusing to be reduced to victims.
Shaheen began alone, her voice a solitary whisper against the tide of injustice. Today, she leads a team of 15 across India, their collective strength a testament to the power of unity. Over 50 survivors now find solace within the walls of Apna Ghar, their laughter echoing through the halls, a symphony of hope rising above the scars. Over 300 survivors have found hope in her determination, their bodies repaired through reconstructive surgeries facilitated by the Foundation. Legal battles, once insurmountable mountains, are now navigated with the unwavering support of the Foundation's team.
Shaheen's ambition is to see Brave Souls Foundation expand its reach across India, with offices and shelter homes in every state. Her commitment to creating a network that supports survivors nationwide stems from the belief that no survivor should face challenges alone. The foundation, which originated in Delhi, has already expanded to Kolkata, marking a significant step toward achieving this goal.
To honour stories like Shaheen Malik and Brave Souls Foundation, AU Small Finance Bank presents Badlaav Humse Hai Season 2, in association with Network18. Just like the first season, Season 2 celebrates 25 stories that showcase changemakers whose unsung work has helped carve out cultural identities for communities, lifted them out of poverty; created access where only barriers existed; shown communities how to work with nature to create true sustainability; changed hearts and minds about othered communities; changed the lives of many through economic, social or educational empowerment, and much, much more.
Watch Season 2 of Badlaav Humse Hai for more stories like this one. You may also catch up on all the wonderful stories from Season 1.
Moneycontrol Journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.
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