Rahul and Prachi’s mother
was attacked with acid
Acid attacks is some of the most painful things a human being can experience - not only physically, but also because of the scars they leave on the soul.
Rahul and Prachi* have lived at our Boys’ and Girls’ Hostels since 2015 and 2017 respectively, as their mother and father were so unstable that they were unable to provide for the children’s basic needs, such as daily meals, protection, and care. We have been very grateful to have them with us and to watch them gain weight, develop, and be allowed to simply be children, now with a bright future ahead of them.
One day in 2019, something terrible happened. Rahul and Prachi’s mother was attacked with acid by their father. Because the mother did not behave in the way the father wanted, he and another man poured acid over her face and down her back in a public place. The pain was unbearable.
*Changed names in accordance with our Child Protection Policy
Our team learned about the incident, and for a moment we were uncertain how to respond – should we intervene and help, when it is Rahul and Prachi we support through our children’s home, and not their mother? We ultimately concluded that, first of all, children thrive when their parents are well, and secondly, that stepping in was the right and most humane thing to do.
Since their mother lives in the slums and does not have official documentation, a difficult process awaited, as it was challenging to get her admitted to a hospital. Our team did an incredible job contacting every hospital and emphasizing why it was important that they take her in. No one can know how things would have turned out, but we believe that Rahul and Prachi’s mother would have died without medical care.
Afterwards, other challenges followed: where could their mother live safely, how could she manage on her own, and how would she now live with her new appearance?
Once again, our team made an enormous effort: they found a safe and secure place for Rahul and Prachi’s mother, reported the assault, and fought a long, tough battle with the authorities to secure plastic surgery and compensation. This resulted in two rounds of reconstructive surgery, which made her face look more natural, although the effects of the acid attack will always remain visible. She was awarded compensation in 2024, five years after the attack.
Today, Rahul and Prachi’s mother visits them regularly at our children’s hostels. As you can see in the photos, she is a very proud mother spending time with her children.
Rahul is now 15 years old and Prachi 13, and they continue to live a good life with us. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for them.
Do you wanna be part of creating change?
We are so grateful for all support towards our work, so we can continue our projects.
One way you can support, so to donate to our Boys’ or Girls’ Hostel. Here the children are receiving everything a child deserves: a home, daily meals, education and love.
