Depilex Smile again gets featured on the first page of Metro International

Depilex Smileagain and dsf girls get first page coverage on the pages of Metro International. This magazine is published in 21 countries. This was also published in the UN woman edition. Click this link to view the pdf of the magazine.

 

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Silent Veil a documentary on acid victims by Depilex Smile again

Silent Veil a documentary by Depilex Smileagain by depilexsmileagain

 

Silent Veil is a documentary film about the acid burn victims in Pakistan. Depilex Smileagain is a supportive organization which helps in the rehabilitation of such victims by providing them with surgeries and skin treatments. Once the acid victims have recovered, Depilex Smileagain also trains them professionally in their fields of choice and also helps them getting a job or starting a business of their own.

To donate us, go to our website:

http://www.depilexsmileagain.com

or go to

https://www.facebook.com/DepilexSmileAgain/app_117708921611213

Musarrat Misbah - An introduction to the founder of Depilex Smileagain

Musarrat Misbah In A Nutshell

Masarrat Misbah has a dynamic persona with multiple talents and is a name that needs no introduction. She is a distinguished entrepreneur, cosmetologist and philanthropist. As a beautician, she is Pakistan's first beauty expert, who initiated the trend of professional beauty salons in the country. Her charismatic and promising personality reflects vividly her love for beauty. She deserves admiration for her empathy forthose who have accidentally lost it.

Musarrat Misbah was born on November 25, 1959 in Karachi. Her father Mr. Misbah Uddin Khan is a business tycoon and her mother Ms. Anisa is a social worker, philanthropist and a prominent personality of Karachi. Masarat Misbah spent early years of her life in Karachi. Being the eldest daughter amongst six sisters and two brothers, she was raised and treated as a totally independent individual since her childhood.

Initially Musarat Misbah committed herself fully to help women look beautiful and quickly ascended the ladder of success as a beautician. But something deep inside always reminded her that this was not the ultimate goal she wanted to achieve. Even though she belongs to an affluent family and has always enjoyed a luxurious life, she was constantly thoughtful of the plight of the women who had lost their charm in acid attacks and burning incidents.
With a strong desire to make a meaningful contribution and a will to bring about a positive change in the lives of those who had suffered due to atrocities of deliberate burning, she decided to establish an NGO and eventually laid the basis of Depilex Smileagain Foundation in 2005. Though she is extremely successful in the realms of business and cosmetology, her noble cause to help and rehabilitate acid and burn crimes' victims has transformed her into a philanthropist who is envied by many.

For her valuable contributions in various fields of life, Masarrat Misbah is the recipient of several prestigious awards. As the President of Depilex Smileagain Foundation, she is the first woman from Pakistan who has been awarded by the Italian Government on Women's Day for her courage and commitment. Within Pakistan, for her untiring efforts as a beautician, entrepreneur, social worker and philanthropist she has received several exalted awards. In April 2010, she was also honoured with the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance.
Apart from that, Masarrat Misbah had also been invited as a valued guest to deliver various lectures on beauty, philanthropy and social work at multiple universities nationwide.

Source: http://magtheweekly.com/05-11jan2013/feature.asp

Depilex Smile again and TUSDEC collabrate to provide training to acid victims

Depilex smile again is has been working for a decade for the treatments and rehabilitation of burnt victims, during these years countless acid and burn victims have been trained as beauticians and are earning a living of their own. In past many organizations e.g. hotels, institutes have collaborated with Depilex smileagain to provide the burnt victims professional trainings or job opportunities. Tusdec is also an organization that is focused on providing vocational training for the socioeconomic empowerment of vulnerable women. Tusdec and Depilex Smileagain recently collaborated and signed an agreement to help restore the socioeconomic status of acid victims.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between both parties to collaborate in capacity building of acid burn survivors. Tusdec would provide free of cost vocational training to women passing through treatment and recovery with the help of Depilex Smileagain Foundation. The training would be delivered in various conventional and modern trades.

 Women would be facilitated with free of charge transportation and a monthly stipend aiding them to manage their medications. Tusdec also plans to launch various vocational training programs to stabilize such survivors as the socioeconomic strength of women would contribute towards economic progress of Pakistan. “Depilex Smileagain Foundation would mark the candidates who are going to receive technical and vocational training from Tusdec considering their aptitude, ability and stage of treatment.”

Hazrat Khadija Tul Kubra (RA) Award for Masarrat Misbah of Depilex Smileagain

“I have got many awards but receiving the Hazrat Khadija tul Kubra Award is a real honor for me. An award with the title of a woman who was the wife of our Prophet (PBUH), whose courage, righteousness, and perfection in all relationships made her a role model for all women, and a successful business woman. This is the best way to be recognized for the humanitarian work that I have chosen to do since 2003.”

These were the words of gratitude by Masarrat Misbah who was honored by the Hazrat Khadija Tul Kubra Award in a ceremony held in Avari Hotel Lahore on 6th November 2012.

The event was organized by Pakistan Federation of Business & Professional Women (BPWO). Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, was the chief guest on the occasion. Nasreen Mahdi from BPWO in her citation acknowledged the efforts of Masarrat Misbah for her humanitarian services rendered through Depilex Smileagain Foundation.

She invited the attention of the chief guest and the audience to the heinous crime of acid throwing on women and urged the government to give maximum punishment to the culprits. Begum Zakia Shahnawaz while handing over the award to Masarrat Misbah commended her contribution as an entrepreneur, a social worker and a humanitarian.

Masarrat Misbah got standing ovation by the audience when she was receiving the award.

 

 

Depilex Smileagain Team Attends Hijab Conference in Pearl Continental Lahore

International Hijab Conference was held at Pearl Continental Lahore on 15th September, 2012. Masarrat Misbah attended the event along with her Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) team of acid victims. It was an inspiring event that emphasized on the importance of hijab in an Islamic society by raising awareness, building a positive image of hijab and addressing the negative misconceptions on the Muslim headdress.

Mrs. Raja Ashraf (wife of PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf) appeared as chief guest and presented “Special hijab award” to Masarrat Misbah, President Depilex Smileagain foundation, not only for medical and vocational support of the acid victims but also grooming them to be ideal women with religious and cultural values .

Acid Survivor Arooj Akbar’s Wedding – Sharing Smiles at Depilex SmileAgain

A really happy time was celebrated at Depilex Smileagain Foundation when an old patient Arooj Akbar(acid victim)  tied her wedding knot. The entire DSF(Depilex Smileagain Foundation) team gave her a memorable farewell.  Musarrat Misbah gave her a stunning look on her special day. It was an epic eve encompassed by good wishes and amusement. All her Depilex friends were very happy and organized this event with a great zeal. They all bought presents for her and wished her a peaceful life ever after.

We wish her a very happy successful life.

Arooj Akbar’s Wedding in Depilex Smileagain Foundation

 

Depilex Smileagain and Stories of Extraordinary Hope

The way things were happening for last few years it was not surprising that violence on such scale took place . Just for taking revenge, one destroys another’s life. We can’t even imagine what goes through that person’s mind, who suffers from different sort of violence. It has become a common practice in Pakistan, that if a girl or a lady refuses for something or defends her for some reason they are burned by throwing acid.

Many innocent girls lost their lives, a few survive with all their dreams shattered; giving up all their hope to live a prosperous life many NGO’s are working on the rehabilitation of such women. Providing them new lives full of hope so they don’t spend their lives in fear. And here we are with few survivors who want to rise like the phoenix.

 

Depilex Smileagain registers Mayo Hospital Lahore Acid Attack Victims

Ms. Rehmana, a nurse at Mayo Hospital was subjected to acid attack by her husband while she was at duty in Mayo Hospital Lahore. Her colleague, Ms. Shazia, who was also a nurse and was sitting next to Rehmana was also burnt badly.  The culprit was beaten by the locals / public inthe hospital and is in jail.

DSF team visited the burn victims and both patients are registered with Depilex Smileagain Foundation.

  

Shazia Burnt Victim

A nurse at Mayo Hospital. She was on duty with Rehmana and was sitting next to her when acid thrown.

Depilex Smileagain Foundation - To Whom it may Concern

God created human beings for each other, he gave some power so that they could help others with none, he bestowed health upon some so that they can help those with poor health, to some he blessed with every blessing that there is so that they could share it with those who were not that lucky.

Being a human we have a responsibility towards every human who is deprived, doing is what makes us human.

People who took away the smiles from the faces of the victims of set-on-fire and Acid Attacks are another breed, but what have we done to answer the calls of these distressed souls?

We at Depilex Smileagain Foundation are committed towards bringing back their smiles and doing everything we can to give them their life back. You can either choose to ignore us or help us, decide how good a human you want to be, HURRY

http://www.depilexsmileagain.com

Depilex Smileagain Foundation - Profile of a Volunteer at Depilex SmileAgain Foundation

 

My name is Amrit Ahmed. I have just finished my O’level studies. I always wanted to do something that made myself and others happy. I had my three months summer vacations so therefore, I looked at it as an opportunity to accomplish my goal and started to look for a way to keep myself happy whilst doing some social work.
One day I was just randomly searching on internet about some of the foundations working for orphans, women rights e.t.c. As my search engine continued I suddenly came across Smileagain foundation. Smileagain works for the acid and kerosene burn victims and is run by Mussarat Misbah. While I was reading the web page I came across the objective of this foundation.
Immediately on 16 of June I decided to meet Mussarat Misbah. Mussarat Misbah after seeing my passion and considering my enthusiasm immediately offered me to work with her foundation as a volunteer. It was that very day when I met Mamoona an acid victim. Due to my friendly nature Maimoona immediately became my really good friend. When I told her that I am going to voluntarily work with Smileagain she hugged me and gave me a big smile and said that she is really happy to see someone working for them too. She got really excited when she came to know that I am going to visit her daily while she is in hospital and will bring her lunch too.
The smile that I saw on Mamoona’s face made me proud of myself that I am doing something productive. From that day onwards I decided that I would always be a friend of this foundation. Every day I meet many burn victims who come to this foundation with a new hope, trust and expect to enjoy a new life.
I feel really proud working here because the atmosphere provided by Mussarat Misbah is really cherishing. It feels like as if I belong here. Hence, I will recommend my all dear friends who are sitting idle in their homes  in front of computer or just hanging around achieving nothing, should not waste their time and come to Smileagain and work with them because smiles are meant to be shared and we should make sure that we share a smile too.


Amrit Ahmed

http://www.depilexsmileagain.com

Depilex Smileagain Foundation - BEING HUMAN

The feeling of self-satisfaction that comes when one sees joy in the eyes of one whose hunger has been appeased, whose pain has been lessened and whose life has been recovered is indeed heavenly.

The service rendered by an individual or an institution to improve the social conditions of society is called ‘social service’. This service is rendered on humanitarian considerations and without any motive of profit. Only those people to whom the interests of society are more important than their personal interests come forward to render social service. Today there is an appropriate definition to it as a trait found in some people, whereas it should have been a universal character trait of any Human Being.

If one seeks to help, several ways come to mind as there are many worthy people who deserve help from the more fortunate ones. Acid Attacks and Burn victims are amongst the list of people who need all sort of help from anyone who is willing to invest time, money or hard work.

Poor souls which are victim of Set-on-fire and Acid attacks suffer from many problems which are physical, psychological and social. They require a lot of treatments at various levels along with Psychological and Psychiatric assistance to facilitate social reintegration of the survivors.

You know how stress super-charges you, causing stomach distress, aches and pains, or sending your heart rate soaring. In the same way, social support has a complex effect on well-being—but it is calming and positive. Social support may change your assessment of the stressful event or may prevent you from engaging in damaging behavioral or physiological responses.

Volunteering in organizations which work for a humanitarian causes is the best form of charity one can give as a human. It is sad to see how many able people do not give heed to such services; they do not realize how important it is for them to be of service to humanity to be able to classify themselves as being HUMAN.

Source: Nine Mark Communications

http://www.depilexsmileagain.com

Depilex Smileagain Foundation - Burn and Acid Attack victims – Pains are more than skin deep

Burn injuries are devastating, sudden and unpredictable forms of trauma which affect the victim both physically and psychologically[1]. The bio psychosocial impact on individual hospitalized for severe burn wounds begins at the moment of injury and extends through out the person’s life[2] In last decades, the increase in survival rate following burn injury has prompted an increased focus on problems of rehabilitation, psychosocial adjustment and psychosocial concomitants[3].

The psychological aspects of burn injury have been researched in different parts of world producing different outcomes[4]. Psychological impairment has found to be present in 45.5% and 40% at baseline and follow up assessments respectively. The extent of burn has been found to be associated with psychological impairment.

The prevalence of mild to moderate symptoms of Depression are present in 23% to 26%[5] while major depression in 4% to 10%[6]. Lower levels of Anxiety are present in 67.14% whereas moderate to severe Anxiety is reported by 24.29% and 8.57% of patients respectively.

A major component of suffering from burn injury is severe pain[7]. It has been recognized that Anxiety can worsen the acute pain. Moreover, both Depression and Anxiety are strong prospective predictors of greater pain, more fatigue and physical dysfunction[8].

Anxiety is common in burn patients; therefore, this problem should be addressed right from start of treatment since acute anxiety can aggravate the severe pain.  Patients who are depressed require therapy which should be started in hospital and be continued till discharge and full rehabilitation. Flame was most common cause of burn injury.

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[1]Loncar Z, Bras M, Mickovic V. The relationships between burn

pain, anxiety and depression. Coll Antropol

[2] Menzies V. Depression and burn wounds. Arch  Psychiatr Nurs

[3] Madianos MG, Papaghelis M, Ioannovich J, Dafni R. Psychiatric

Disorders in Burn Patients: A Follow-Up Study. Psychother

Psychosom

[4] Tedstone JE,  Tarrier N.  An investigation of the prevalence of

psychological morbidity in burn-injured patients. Burns

[5] Thomas BD, Bresnick GM, Magyar-Russell G, Lawrence JW,

McCann UD, Fauerbach JA. Symptoms of depression predict

change in physical health after burn injury. Burns

[6] Tsirigotou S. Acute and Chronic Pain resulting From Burn

Injuries. Ann Mediterr Burns Club

[7] Edwards RR, Smith MT, Klick B, Magyar-Russell G,

Hythornthwaite JA, Holavanhalli R, et al. Symptoms of depression

and anxiety as unique predictors of pain related out comes

following burn injury

Depilex Smileagain Foundation - Rising Atrocities – Acid Attack and Set-on-fire cases on the rise

Gender based domestic violence is one of the harsh realities in the third world. Every day the media reports cases of atrocities that are faced by helpless victims. Few of these are ever brought to justice due to communal pressures and loop holes in the legal system. Acid and kerosene oil burning is a gender specific crime. Young girls and women are the common victims of this crime. Although the mortality rate is low the survival is considered by victims to be a fate worse than death. The crime has long term repercussions comprising physical disfiguration and often immobility and psychological complications.

According to an independent survey carried out by Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) there were 242 cases of burnt victims in Pakistan in 2011. 153 of these cases were a result of intentional violence whereas 89 were accidental cases. The number of victims of Acid Attacks and Set-on-Fire has increased by 31% and 47% respectively since 2010, which is very alarming in these modern times where there are tens of NGOs looking after Human and Women Rights.

These numbers are bound to be more than mentioned because only a few have the courage to report such issues and most cases go unreported. Over 450 victims have been registered in DSF, an NGO which has been working on this issue since years. Thank God such Foundations exist because the legal system and the Government has not done much to reduce such cases of dreadful violence let alone helping the victims.