Acid Survivors Foundation

As you know, we received another threat notice from the State Dept. I rather think that this one is more like New York’s maintaining an orange alert – at least I hope so. However, we have been told that things can erupt very quickly here. My colleagues and I are all departing on different days and flights this weekend, so we’re praying for calm until we’re safely home again.

Regarding my work, I visited the Acid Survivors Foundation on Tuesday and will meet with some staff members again today and Friday. The Foundation was started in 2003 to help acid survivors cope with their trauma and disfigurement and to raise public awareness to help integrate these people back into their communities, to put what would be equivalent to a “neighborhood watch” program into place for the purpose of monitoring the sale of battery acid, and to provide legal aid in an attempt to prosecute the perpetrators (13 have been tried since 2003, receiving anywhere from 25 yrs. to one month in prison.)

The Foundation helped 37 Survivors last year through counseling programs, occupational training, and meeting with village elders around Uganda to develop local support for these people. Because the survivors are so disfigured, they are often ostracized and are ashamed to be seen even in their own village. There are several motivations for this sort of crime: a husband or boyfriend suspects his wife/girlfriend of infidelity, a woman is jealous that her boyfriend is dating another woman, or disputes related to property and business matters. Acid crimes generally take place when it is dark and families are gather around their dinner table. The perp then sneaks in under cover of darkness and throws the acid in the face of the victim. Even more tragic is the fact that mothers are often holding their babies, so they are also burned. The Foundation is trying to educate victims and their families that dousing the face with cold water immediately can sometimes prevent the acid from eating through to the bone.

Those who are able to make the journey to a Mulago Hospital are treated over a period of 2-3 months and then return for plastic surgery, which can help cover exposed bone but little else. Those who have sustained eye injuries receive the surgery they need to save at least partial vision if possible. The cost of medical care was assumed by the government but that is changing. Only those who can pay will receive treatment, which means most won’t.

The Foundation employs 7 survivors: 4 full time and 3 part time. I met the full time survivors who were busy sewing shoulder bags, pot holders, and towels and making greeting cards. They sell through the various craft markets to generate a little cash flow.

The Director of the Foundation was very enthusiastic about any help I could provide. Consequently, I will accompany a staff member to the hospital this afternoon the see how he assesses two patients: one in the burn unit and one in plastic surgery. No one has formal training, so they are eager to learn. I was asked to return to the Foundation tomorrow to discuss group therapy techniques with them. They also need metrics to demonstrate that their work is helping the survivors cope with their disfigurement and be assimilated back into their villages. This is important in terms of receiving financial support. I hope to leave them with some tools which will help measure a survivor’s progress.