Straight from Cambodia – Danielle along with Ashlee Larsen, a Brigham Young graduate student, is accompanying Stirring the Fire founder, Phil Borges as he documents the work of Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity.

While acid burn victims are in the majority of burn victims CASC serves, we’ve also seen a few burn survivors from other types of substances. For example, a child was brought in by his mother recently because he had had sustained third degree burns from pulling a pot of boiling soup off the stove by accident. These types of “kitchen” burns are quite frequent in many developing countries. He was able to seek treatment at CASC and have a contracture released under his arm.

Another burn survivor we met is young Ngieb (pronounced “Niep”). She is 23 years old and is working for CASC as their head tailor specializing in pressure garments. She is exceptionally skilled at making these compression garments specifically to fit other burn survivors and is the only one in the country with this refined skill set. She also sews hospital scrubs and CASC regularly gets orders from hospitals around the area for dozens at a time, including the one they work most closely with: Children’s Surgical Center. In fact the day our film team went into film a burn victim’s surgery, we donned scrubs make by Niep at CASC.

Phil, Ashlee and me Preparing to go into the OR Wearing CASC-made Scrubs

Ngieb has been working from a very young age. Because her father was killed when she was very young, at 14 she moved to Phnom Penh to help support her mother by finding work as a nanny. At 18 she got married to an older man who was emotionally and physically abusive, especially when he was drinking. She endured his abuse for several years and they had one child, a beautiful daughter. Finally she had had enough and very bravely told him she wanted a divorce. She was 21 years old.

Ngieb and her Daughters talking with Phil

The most dangerous time for a domestic abuse survivor is around the time of leaving the relationship. The perpetrator’s need to have power and control over the intimate partner, in this case Ngieb, is acutely threatened and the risk that lethal violence occurs skyrockets.

In October 2007 Ngieb made her feelings clear that she wanted to leave him and he responded by dousing her with gasoline and lighting her on fire. Their 3 year old daughter witnessed the whole thing.

Ngieb Holding Her Wedding Picture

After surviving this traumatic experience, she spent all her savings on medical treatment. Initially she stayed at home – indoors – because she was ashamed of how she looked. However, while seeking medical treatment her doctor recommended she connected with CSC (Children’s Surgical Center) for specialized medical treatment for burns. There she also connected with CASC. Since joining CASC she has received on-going medical treatment, housing support, physical therapy and educational support for her daughter. She has also learned to become a talented seamstress and has been hired by CASC, honing her skills to serve the community of burn survivors.

Ngieb Sewing Hospital Scrubs

Her husband left after the incident and has not been found. He remains free from accountability for perpetrating attempted homicide.

Ngieb lives close to CASC with her mother and two young daughters (the second she had with another burn survivor at CASC). Despite, in her words,

“life being difficult from a very young age”

she is committed to supporting her family, excelling at her job at CASC and being a role model for other survivors.

Tomorrow we visit another survivor at her home and learn the ways CASC has been instrumental in her life.  We hope you check back for her story!

Ending Violence against Women – Acid Burns

Acid burning is one of the most extreme forms of violence that causes severe physical and psychological scarring, and social ostracism. The victims of acid violence, largely women and girls, are often left with limited access to medical or psychological assistance, no legal recourse, and no means of livelihood.

Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) is the only organization in the world focused on combating and eradicating acid burns violence at the international level. In Cambodia, ASTI partners with Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity (CASC) to provide vital services to survivors of acid burns violence. With support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, ASTI and CASC assist women survivors of acid violence to receive justice and to rebuild their lives. The organizations also sensitize and empower local communities to stand up against acid violence.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, managed by UN Women, is a leading source of support for local and national efforts to end violence against women and girls. Join the UN Trust Fund in this vital work—for more information on how you can support the UN trust Fund click here.