This is Nisha, a twelve year old girl who got burned when her dupatta (an Indian scarf that is draped around the shoulders) caught fire as she was bending down to help cook. She has five sisters. In many places, such a family would be considered a blessing. Here in India, it can be a curse.
During clinic day, Nisha's mother pleaded with us to help Nisha, because she has five sisters. Nisha is the second oldest, and traditionally, the daughters are married off from oldest to youngest. Even though her burn is an accident, no one will want to marry her because of her disfigurement, inability to perform basic tasks due to her burns and the perception that her luck will befall children.
Since no one will marry her, her four younger sisters will have a much harder time finding a husband, and in rural Indian society, being an unmarried woman is a mark of shame and sadness.
Her mother sells pillows and sheets door-to-door, and heard about Interplast when she came to Seema and Puneet's house to ply her trade. Over time Seema heard about Nisha and told her mother to bring her in to see the Interplast team.
During clinic day, Nisha's mother pleaded with us to help Nisha, because she has five sisters. Nisha is the second oldest, and traditionally, the daughters are married off from oldest to youngest. Even though her burn is an accident, no one will want to marry her because of her disfigurement, inability to perform basic tasks due to her burns and the perception that her luck will befall children.
Since no one will marry her, her four younger sisters will have a much harder time finding a husband, and in rural Indian society, being an unmarried woman is a mark of shame and sadness.
Her mother sells pillows and sheets door-to-door, and heard about Interplast when she came to Seema and Puneet's house to ply her trade. Over time Seema heard about Nisha and told her mother to bring her in to see the Interplast team.
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