
Kanchana, 28 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Kanchana graduated as an honor student from high school in her northern Sri Lankan village. When she decided to move 150 miles away to pursue a nursing degree her boyfriend became enraged with jealousy. A few months later while walking to class he jumped out at her on a crowded street and threw acid in her face. Despite many surgeries, having to wear a mask, severe eye problems, Kanchana graduated at the top of her class. Her plastic surgeon told me that like Kanchana most of her acid attack patients are beautiful women - it’s almost a curse.