Monika is a distance-learner B.A. student, living with her son Tejas (4), and daughter Pihu (1), in a small 1 bedroom house in a quiet part of town. Every year, she has to go to Bhopal to write her final exams, leaving her children in her sister's care. It was during one such trip on Dec 27th that the unthinkable happened. Her sister had boiled some water for her bath and been waiting for it to cool, when little Pihu somehow found her way into the bathroom and fell into the scalding water.

Monika is struggling to keep her world from falling apart, all by herself

“Manoj works for the Indian Para Special Force. It’s always been hard to have my husband by my side only a few weeks in a year, but now... I have never missed him more than I do right now. He doesn’t even know what’s happening. Because of his secret postings, only he can call me, and that too only once in a few months. Every time, the first thing he asks is ‘How are the kids?’. The next time he calls... would I have to tell him that our daughter... that she...” – unable to continue

Monika is terrified that Pihu might not survive

Little Pihu suffered second and third-degree burns on nearly 50% of her body, with the worst damage on her back and legs. Her right arm is also badly burnt, and part of her left arm as well. Thankfully, the little one was able to keep her head above the water, and avoided any burns on her face. Still, the severity of the burns is such that poor Pihu has developed a dangerous infection on top of it all. She needs careful and 24x7 ICU care for 6 weeks or so to fully recover. Without it, she will not make it.

Baby Pihu needs urgent and expensive NICU care, but Monika cannot afford it

“People think the families of those in the army are well-off, but that’s not always the case. The money that falls into my account every month has always been just enough for a family of 3 to live a decent life. I could afford to feed my children comfortably, and fund a cheap long-distance BA course. But now... I need 28 lakhs! In one month! I cannot possibly arrange that kind of money in that kind of timespan. But without it... my Pihu...”

 
Monika is desperate. She needs as much help as possible. Contribute now, and ensure that the next time Manoj calls home, Monika can tell him their children are happy and healthy.