A meaningful make-over that made a burn victim smile

Dubai - For the past few weeks, 15-year old Rawan (she does not want to disclose her full name), from Jenin Camp, Palestine, has been in the city receiving treatment.

Fashion with a heart may seem like a cliché but this is an industry that enjoys attaching itself to a cause. Its glamorous platform gives it a voice, and often fashion is able to help make a change. 
Since fashion is about making one look good and feel good about your self, many of the causes that the industry chooses to support are connected to this. 
Dubai-based Namshi.com, which is funded by a Berlin-based Internet firm, is one of the Middle East's most popular e-commerce sites, and stocks over 500 global and homegrown brands in the fast fashion sector. 
A few months ago, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), a non-political, non-profit entity established in the 1990s in the US to address the medical and humanitarian crisis being faced by Palestinian youths in the Middle East, touched base with Namshi about a girl who was in need of help. 
For the past few weeks, 15-year old Rawan (she does not want to disclose her full name), from Jenin Camp, Palestine, has been in the city receiving treatment. 
She has been in and out of hospital since 2006 due to injuries received during a domestic accident. "I was three years old, my mother had prepared lunch and laid it out on the floor which was where we used to eat. I accidentally tripped and fell in the soup pot". Since then, Rawan has been in and out of hospital as the burns not only impacted her appearance but also physically incapacitated her. 
She is unable to carry out daily basic chores. 
"I have undergone many surgeries in both Palestine and Dubai, however, I am still not fully recovered as one of my doctors, said I still have a few more operations to reach full recovery. The extent of my injury grows with me daily as I get older and it has been affecting my day to day life," said Rawan. 
She is even unable to dress by herself and this was where Namshi steps in. 
"PCRF wanted all the patients that come to the UAE for a treatment or an operation, to have a "mini fashion makeover," and they thought Namshi would be the perfect fit as it was a company founded in the UAE . I was so happy when they told me that I would have a small makeover after the surgery, as I never get to experience anything like this. I loved the items which they gave me and I am so happy I can enjoy them," said Rawan. 
Rawan has now returned to her hometown. Her general mobility has improved, with her new wardrobe. This one experience had made Namshi realise how important clothes and fashion are to victims of burns. 
The company will now work closely with PCRF to ensure that all burn victims go home feeling good about themselves inside and out. 
"PCRF transforms children's lives through medical treatments. We wanted to play a very small part by transforming their wardrobe and helping improve their self-esteem," said Hosam Arab, cofounder and Managing Director, Namshi. 
Rawan enjoyed her time in Dubai, though it was a medical trip. "I took English and art classes which were really useful. But the most wonderful and breathtaking experience I ever had was with the dolphins. I had the chance to interact with one of them at Atlantis The Palm. I also really liked Miracle Garden and Global Village very much." She urges other women not be scared of their scars and enjoy the process of dressing up.   
sujata@khaleejtimes.com

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