Monika Lost Her Smile in a Fire. Help Her Get It Back.
There was a time when Monika's biggest worry was finishing her homework and helping her mother in the kitchen. A bright girl with a dream to graduate in Computer Science, she wanted to lift her family out of poverty and give her mother—who had spent a lifetime struggling—a better life. She used to say, “One day, Mummy won’t have to worry about anything. I’ll take care of it all.” But all it took was one accident to change everything.
It was just another afternoon in their small home. Monika was in the kitchen, helping prepare lunch. Her hair was untied—something so normal, so ordinary. But that day, it became a trap. Within seconds, her hair caught fire from the open stove. Flames reached her face, her neck, her hands. She screamed, but help didn’t arrive instantly. There was no bike, no vehicle to rush her to safety. Her family, panicked and helpless, placed her on a cart and wheeled her to the nearest hospital. By the time she reached, the damage was already done.
Her face was severely burnt. Her hands—once meant to hold pens, write dreams, type code—were scarred and in pain. The hospital gave her only basic aid, because the family couldn’t afford advanced treatment. There was no plastic surgery. No rehabilitation. Just bandages, painkillers, and a broken spirit. And then they returned home.
The Growing Burden: Physical, Emotional, Financial
It’s been two years since that horrible accident.Monika can no longer use her hands properly. Writing, eating, even touching something lightly causes pain. Her right hand is partially disabled, and she has lost the ability to write or hold objects with ease. The injuries weren't just physical. She dropped out of school. Her self-esteem crumbled. Friends drifted away. She started avoiding people, hiding from mirrors, and retreating into silence. Her dreams of studying computer science? They feel like a distant memory now. Financially, her family was already struggling. At the time of the accident, they could barely afford basic treatment. Plastic surgery, skin grafts, physiotherapy—all of that was out of reach. They did what they could. But it wasn’t enough.
A Glimmer of Hope: But Time is Running Out
Monika is now 19. Her will is strong, but her body needs help. Doctors have recommended a multi-stage surgical treatment under certain specialists. The procedure includes ICU care, surgery, skin grafts, medications, and recovery support. The total cost: ₹9,81,000. Without this treatment, her hand may never regain full functionality. Her burns may cause long-term health issues and infections. And most of all—her dreams of education, independence, and dignity may slip away forever.
Why Her Health Matters More Than Ever
Monika doesn't just want to be "okay." She wants to go back to school. She wants to type on a keyboard. She wants to crack an interview, sit in an office, and proudly say, “Mummy, you don’t have to struggle anymore.” But how does she get there when her fingers can’t even hold a pen? Every rupee you contribute brings Monika one step closer to healing—not just her scars, but her soul. She doesn’t need charity. She needs a fair chance to reclaim what the fire tried to take away—her identity.
Let’s Not Let Money Decide Her Future
This isn't just about a medical bill. It's about a young woman’s future—her right to learn, grow, and live with dignity. For just ₹500, you help cover her medications. For ₹2,000, you fund her anesthesia. For ₹10,000, you support her surgery. Every drop counts. Help Monika get her life back. Let’s not let poverty be the reason her dreams burn out too.
Donate now. Heal a hand. Revive a future.
Hospital Estimate Documents
📅 Date: 4 September, 2025
Nineteen year old Monika once dreamed of becoming a computer science graduate. She wanted to give her mother a better life and prove that poverty could not define her. But two years ago, a tragic kitchen accident changed everything. Her hair caught fire while she was cooking, and within moments, the flames spread to her face, neck, and hands.
Her family rushed her to the hospital the only way they could on a cart. By the time she arrived, the damage was already done. With no resources for advanced care, she received only basic treatment. Her hands were scarred, her right hand partially disabled, and her dreams of school and independence seemed to slip away.
But Monika’s spirit refused to be defeated. She still wanted to study, type on a keyboard, and proudly tell her mother, “You don’t have to struggle anymore.” What she needed was specialized surgery and rehabilitation—treatment far beyond what her family could afford.
That’s when the Mitaan Foundation stepped in.
Moved by her courage, we launched a campaign to raise funds for her critical surgeries. Donations began coming in, but even as the target seemed difficult, we stood by our commitment: “Like we promised, even if the amount is not raised, we treat everyone.”
And we kept our word.
With the help of compassionate donors and our medical partners, Monika underwent the first stages of her reconstructive treatment. The surgeries were complex and painful, but they marked the beginning of her healing. For the first time since the accident, Monika can use her hands more freely. The scars remain, but her confidence is returning. She is slowly writing again, holding small objects, and most importantly she is smiling.
Monika still has a long road ahead. More surgeries and therapy sessions will be required to restore her full functionality. But today, she is no longer hiding from mirrors. She is talking about going back to school. She is laughing with her mother again.
Her journey is proof that accidents don’t have to end dreams sometimes, they create new ones.
At Mitaan Foundation, Monika’s success story is a reminder of why we do what we do: to ensure that no child, no young woman, and no family is left behind just because they cannot afford treatment.
To everyone who donated, shared, and supported Monika, thank you for being part of her healing. Together, we’ve not just treated burns, we’ve reignited hope.
Note - Any amount raised beyond the required treatment cost will be used to support other individuals who were less fortunate and could not receive the help they needed.