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Safia's Story
Safia is a Landmine victim child and is 16 years old. She resides in Bajaur Agency a Federally Administrated Tribal Areas of Pakistan and belongs to a very poor family. When she was seven, in a tragic landmine incident she lost both her legs and a hand. She explains her story:
"One unfortunate day I went to the open fields along with my grandfather to help him in his routine work which is concerned with the proper cleaning of maize crop residues and to utilize these for burning purpose. After some time my grandfather departed from me saying, "I will be back in moment.". While I was busy in my work, I found a device in the fields and in fact it was a landmine. I could not resist and touched the device which exploded within no time and I fell unconscious. When I came to my senses I found myself in the local hospital and later on came to know that I have lost both my legs along with one arm. Being grieved by the incident, I just want to ask these people why such drastic devices have come in to existence which stand only for the total ruin of human lives. What could be those conflicts and the material benefits of such conflicts which cost me my legs and an arm. Now I am totally dependent on my poor family and can’t even walk except to ride on the old shoulders of my grandfather."  The back of her grandfather was her only mobility. As mentioned above Safia belongs to a poor family and there is no free rehabilitation facilities available in Pakistan, therefore, her family was unable to provide her prosthetic limbs. She spent almost nine years without two legs and one arm totally dependent on her family for the mobility and other basic needs. She said that she became very sad when she saw other children playing and going to
schools. There was no hope in her life that she will be cared for and
rehabilitated.
A ray of hope on her face after she practiced with her artificial legs. Thanks to HDPG and First Hand Foundation, which brought a smile of hope on her face after nine long years, she was very depressed and hopeless before coming to rehabilitation. HDPG tried its best to relieve her miseries and bring her back to a normal life and now she is feeling well. A Salute to First Hand Foundation that provided its financial support to rehabilitate this innocent landmine victim. Initially two artificial limbs were provided to her and after some practice and use she will be provided with a hand.  Safia after nine years stood with her artificial legs and tried to walk. |