Bina

The Faces of Courage

Jharna

You saw them on ABC's 20/20: the girls from Bangladesh who were tragically injured when jilted suitors threw acid in their faces.

We're delighted to report that Bina, 17, and Jharna, 15, have begun their journey to healing, with the care and expertise of doctors at Shriners Burns Hospital in Cincinnati and the generosity and love of their host family. We believe their story exemplifies all that is unique and inspiring about Healing the Children and the children it serves, and we're proud to relate it to you here.

We were first approached by Dr. Safiul Hasan, a native Bengali, now living and practicing in the Detroit area. He is an advocate for girls who are the victims of acid violence and was searching across the nation for someone willing to help. Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati and our chapter of HTC were the first to respond. Paperwork was a daunting task, but Dr. Hasan helped by travelling to Dhaka, visiting friends and family while there, and accomplished that task.

All along the way, people responded positively to our requests for assistance. The Consul General at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka was so pleased that we were responding to the needs of these girls that visas were issued readily. British Airways was so taken by their plight that they donated tickets to fly them to Chicago. Delta Airlines helped out on the last leg into Cincinnati. Our most experienced host family in Cincinnati came forward and, although currently hosting a 17-year-old burn victim from Bolivia, agreed to host both girls so that they could be together. Can you imagine that house full of teens? Adam Crelling, our American Airlines escort who takes on the most challenging duties, volunteered to donate his time to the long journey: from the U.S., halfway around the world and then back again. Almost five days of travel.

It all fell into place. It took the three of them 36 hours to travel from Dhaka to Cincinnati with, thankfully, no airline delays. They were all exhausted, but happy to finally begin the healing process. Bina and Jharna have not had their surgeries yet as they have been busy with consultations with all the specialists involved in the case. When that phase is complete, a treatment plan will be mapped out. Meanwhile they are adjusting to life in the U.S., attending English classes, learning Spanish from HTC brother Ronald from Bolivia, and treating their host family to their spicy native dishes. Winter weather will be an interesting surprise.

Everyone who meets Bina and Jharna is overwhelmed, first by the terrible damage so evilly done to their beautiful faces and then by their amazing courage and vibrant spirits. It is a great act of bravery for them to fight back against the wrongs they have suffered. It is nearly unbelievable that they can also smile, laugh and be happy.

We hope our healing efforts will be as much a physical success as their lives are a spiritual triumph.

Healing the Children
2140 44th Street SE Ste 105 • Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616.281.6972 • Fax 616.281.6973
[email protected]