Zubaida, a nine-year-old girl from Farah, Afghanistan, grew up in a nomadic family with seven siblings. But in August 2001, her life changed in an instant. While helping with chores, she accidentally ignited a home kerosene burner. The flames engulfed her, leaving her with severe burns across her face, neck, chest, and arms.
Doctors in Afghanistan and Iran did what they could, but eventually told her father there was nothing more they could do—he should take her home to die. But Zubaida didn’t give up. Despite being left disfigured and deeply traumatized, she survived.
Desperate to save his daughter, Zubaida’s father reached out to the U.S. government in early 2002. She was brought to a U.S. Army base in Kabul, where American military doctors quickly recognized the urgency of her condition. They referred her to the U.S. State Department, and soon her case reached Dr. Peter Grossman, a renowned plastic surgeon in California.
With help from the Children’s Burn Foundation, Zubaida was flown to Los Angeles to begin a life-changing journey. Over time, she underwent 12 major reconstructive surgeries at the Grossman Burn Center. Her physical recovery was remarkable—but what followed was equally powerful.
For the first time in her life, Zubaida went to school. She learned English in just a year, made lasting friendships, and slowly began to rebuild her confidence. On her 11th birthday in March 2003, she celebrated a special milestone: her very first sleepover.
Inspired by the doctors who helped her heal, Zubaida now dreams of becoming a pediatrician. She wants to return to Afghanistan one day to help children facing the same kind of hardship she once did.
Those who meet Zubaida are moved by her strength, resilience, and radiant spirit. While she still carries the physical scars of her trauma, they don’t define who she is. She recently reunited with her family, who continue to live in poverty, and she still needs support to continue her education and receive ongoing medical care.
Zubaida’s story is more than a survival tale—it’s a powerful reminder of what human kindness, courage, and perseverance can achieve.
