Make Love Not Scars is a non-profit organization that has been rehabilitating acid attack and burn survivors since 2014. To date, we have rehabilitated 100+ survivors. Acid is a vicious substance that corrodes through metal. When in contact with skin, it leads to irreversible damage, corroding through skin and sometimes bone. Survivors lose eyesight, hearing, noses and sometimes, limbs. That is, if they survive at all.

The Indian Government considers acid attack survivors to be a part of our nations disabled community. Every 90 seconds in India, a woman is burned for dowry. Every day, it is reported that 3 people are attacked with acid in India. The actual numbers are much larger. It is one of the most violent crimes a human being can face.

HOW WE HELP

We realize that there is more than just one way to help. During the first few years, we solely focused on funding life-saving surgeries for survivors. Over time, we learned of survivors being abused by their own family members, which led us to build India’s first rehabilitation center that acted as a residential facility for survivors in need.

We funded skill training, therapy sessions and education. We helped survivors find jobs and fight legal battles.

With the onset of Covid-19, many survivors who were single mothers were let off from their jobs. Families couldn’t put food on the table. As a result, it became our responsibility to fund their children’s education and provide minimum monthly stipends of Rs. 4,000 per survivor so that she could buy essential groceries for her family. We also continued to pay for all monthly medicines (medical needs are lifelong after a person has been attacked with acid) and urgent medical care that came up – from appendix emergencies to vision problems. At times, we also funded heartbreaking funerals 

THE HIDDEN VICTIMS: CHILDREN

The most important job of all, however, became protecting the children. Children of acid attack survivors are often deprived of a basic, fair and just childhoods. Many of their mothers have been attacked by their own fathers. Prior to the attack, they have witnessed countless nights of horrific domestic abuse. Some children have faced abuse. Some were sleeping right next to their mothers when their fathers attacked them with acid. Some suffered burns as a result of running up to their mothers, trying to help them.

It is heartbreaking and we wish to end the cycle of abuse and give these kids a new lease at life.

Over the past two years, we have funded boarding school and private school education for over a dozen children. School fees, on average, is 50,000 per year. Additionally, we help them purchase phones, tablets, laptops, books and other essential school supplies. Considering how many children can’t cope with e-learning given their socio-economic backgrounds, we help hire private tutors to teach students how to use their technological devices plus tutor them to keep up with classes.

WHY WE NEED YOU

We are currently fundraising to ensure that survivors can continue getting their monthly stipends and that their children can study in peace.

By donating, you will be helping families like the ones whose stories we are sharing below.

Godambri and Balram

Godambri and her son Balram belong to Kashipur. A bright student, we fund his annual school fees at Mount Sinai School + other expenses such as books. Every year, the cost of education is around Rs. 30,000. Additionally, we help Godambri with a monthly stipend to help feed Balram healthy, nutritious meals.

Soni

Soni was attacked with acid by her own husband. Prior to the attack, she faced abuse like being beaten for not pressing her mother in law’s feet, denied food, forcefully having her hair shaved off for using too much shampoo, and denied soap to maintain basic hygiene. Prior to getting married, she was about to join the police force. Today, Soni is employed by us at Make Love Not Scars for a salary of Rs. 12,000/month. We also continue to provide medical care. Your donations help us provide gainful employment to survivors like Soni.

Anju, Nitin and Arjun

Anju is a doting, hardworking woman. Burnt with kerosene by her own husband, she single-handedly raises her two sons and daughter (not pictured here). Nitin and Arjun study at TDI international (a boarding school), while her daughter is at a private day school because she is very young. All 3 kids are extremely bright and you can make sure that their education does not come to a standstill!

Kanta

Kanta struggles with thyroid disorder, mental illness and epilepsy. She was burnt by her in-laws. Her husband passed away during covid-19. We bought her children phones, fund her children’s education and tuition, and also help Kanta pay for her rent and ongoing medical expenses (medicines, doctor appointments, tests etc.) In the past, we have funded vital surgeries for her burns. Annually, Kanta receives over 1.5 lakhs in aid from the NGO.

Syyed

Syyed is a sweet, kind man. Struggling from mental illness, he was bullied in the village. One night, at around midnight, someone threw acid on his feet as he slept outdoors. He couldn’t reach a hospital because of lockdown problems. His wounds remained untreated for days, and eventually, caught maggots. A kind neighbor informed us of his pitiable state. We caught in touch with his distant relatives, sent funds and ensured that he received ample medical care.

Your donation can help us fund medical care for survivors like the ones you just read about. Please note, the funds raised here are not being raised for any one individual but rather, will be used for ALL survivors at Make Love Not Scars, according to who needs aid the most. Many future beneficiaries of these funds have not have been pictured above.