by ASF | Feb 20, 2022 | Latest News & Events
ASF survivor-staff Tahmina Islam shares her empowerment journey
I was attacked with acid on March 26, 2000. I was first sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital then overseas and finally to ASF hospital for advanced medical treatment.
I have had 18 surgeries so far. I was very upset both physically and mentally during my treatment days. Each day felt like a year.
In January 2003, I started working with ASF. They trained me in psychology, leadership, and case management. With each training session, I felt more empowered and hopeful about my future. Slowly but surely, I was weaving out a new life one stitch at a time.
I started studying again in 2013. Completed my Honors and Masters in Social Work and dived right into serving my survivor-brothers and sisters.
Getting to where I am today was no easy task. It took immense love and care from multiple people including ASF to build back my resilience and thrive again. I am forever grateful to those that tagged along and supported me in my journey.
I might have changed a lot over the years but some things remain the same–the unending roller coaster ride of obstacles we call life. I still have to answer the same questions every day going out. But these obstacles push me to keep living my best life. I am a walking example reminding people that I am equally worthy of the treasures this world has to offer.
Anything can happen to anyone at any time. Embrace life’s unpredictable nature and prepare for it. Every time life hits you, get back up. That’s your job. People can come along and support you but ultimately no one can do your work for you. Do you want to change your life? Take charge of it.
I fight. Together with my survivor-brothers and sisters, I fight. For survival, social justice, and to put an end to violence against women and children. What are you fighting for?
by ASF | Feb 20, 2022 | Latest News & Events
Pressure garments, also known as compression garments, are pieces of clothing made of elasticized fabric worn after a burn, fitting tightly around the skin to control scarring.
ASF has 3 survivor-run pressure garment manufacturing units spanned across Dhaka namely Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital (SHSMCH), Dhaka Medical College (DMC), and ASF Health Care Center.
Ever since March 2020 due to the pandemic, the PG unit in DMC ceased production and was turned into a covid health center.
In December 2021, ASF was given permission to resume production in the unit observing safety precautions.
To know more about our PG units and make a purchase contact us at (+880) 1984303150.
by ASF | Feb 20, 2022 | Latest News & Events
Aniqa Masnun Torfa is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy (M. Phil) from the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka (DU). She received a Bachelor of Science from the Department of Psychology in 2016 and a Master of Science from the Department of Clinical Psychology, DU in 2019.
Thoughtful and passionate about her line of work, Aniqa is a trained psychotherapist with 4 years of experience working in different hospitals and NGOs.
Due to her joining midst Covid and the pandemic still posing a threat to traveling, in December we have taken our counseling sessions over the phone.
Psychosocial counseling is especially important to survivors in these trying times.
Parvin Begum is one of the first survivors to receive our psychosocial counseling over the phone. Here’s what she had to say about her first experience:
“I am so happy you called. You remembered me in these trying times. No one listens to me so closely. I feel lighter being heard. I hope to feel better putting your advice into practice.”
by ASF | Feb 20, 2022 | Latest News & Events
Name: Chandana Paul
Age: 28 years
Date of attack: 19/03/2021
Profession: Housewife
Address: Village: Vatamatha, Upazella- Akhaura, District- Brahmanbaria
On 19th March 2021, 28-year-old housemaker Chandana Paul was attacked with acid in Brahmanbaria by drug-addicted husband Ananda Paul, son of Nitai Paul. The attack also burnt Chandana’s mother Putul Paul.
According to Ananda’s brother Aujit Paul, during lockdown Anand got caught in debt resulting in family quarrels which later culminated in the brutal attack. The two are said to have been married for a decade and have a son together.
Following the attack, survivors were both first taken to Brahmanbaria’s General Hospital for primary treatment and then to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (SHNIBPS) for advanced treatment. Meanwhile, Chandana’s father filed a case at the Akhaura police station.
Soon after the survivors’ admission to the SHNIBPS, Acid Survivors Foundation introduced them to its work and offered its cost-free services. Moreover, financially supported them upon their request to buy medicine.
Later ASF referred Chandana and her mother to BRAC’s Legal Officer in Brahmanbaria. The officer counseled the two and promised them to help with their case. A public prosecutor was appointed to Chandana’s case from BRAC. She handed in a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) and all the relevant documents required by the case. The accused still remains a fugitive.
As of now, Chandana Paul and her mother’s physical condition have improved and are doing well.
by ASF | Feb 20, 2022 | Latest News & Events
ASF contributes to DMC’s physiotherapy service
Burn is one of Bangladesh’s major public health concerns with over 300k people experiencing burn injuries every year and only 628 burn physiotherapists practicing.
Unpopular profession, burn physiotherapists are rare to come by in the country causing health centers and hospitals like Dhaka Medical College (DMC) to suffer from the shortfall.
From 2013 up until 2016 ASF medical coordinator and burn physiotherapist Hridita Haider practiced in DMC. In 2017 she concluded her work at the hospital after she had helped train DMC’s six newly recruited physiotherapists for a year.
In the year between 2017 and 2021, four of the physiotherapists were relocated and the remaining two-faced trouble showed up at the hospital due to the Pandemic.
On 11 December 2021, as Hridita visited DMC to discuss the reopening of ASF’s PG unit, officials expressed their eagerness to have Hridita back onboard.
“I am greatly honored DMC remembered me in these trying times after all these years. I’m starting work the first week of January and look forward to serving more burn survivors”, said Hridita.
by ASF | Feb 20, 2022 | Latest News & Events
ASF partakes Human Rights Day discussion program at the North Plaza of Parliament House
On the occasion of Human Rights Day on 10th December 2021, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, development partners and non-governmental organizations formed a human chain and organized a discussion program at the North Plaza of Parliament House to raise awareness around the prevention of violence against women.
Hon’ble Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Hon’ble Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Aroma Dutta MP, Women Parliamentarians, UNDP representatives, and representatives of the Swedish Embassy spoke at the event.
Speakers also included abused indigenous women, victims of the August 21 grenade attack, activists tackling child marriage, representatives of the transgender community, and the Acid Survivors Foundation.
Speakers shared stories of women abused and violated and how they triumphed over their ordeal.
On behalf of the Acid Survivors Foundation, Case-management coordinator Tahmina Islam partook in the event and highlighted survivors’ gruesome journey to healing post-acid attack and the foundation’s current state.
