Zubaida was just nine years old when her life changed forever. The daughter of a nomadic family in Farah, Afghanistan, she was one of eight children. In August 2001, while helping around the home, she accidentally spilled kerosene into a burner, causing a fire that left her with devastating burns across her face, neck, chest, and arms.

She received basic treatment in Afghanistan and later in Iran, but her condition was so severe that doctors told her father there was nothing more they could do. They advised him to bring her home—to die. But Zubaida defied the odds. Though she survived, the injuries left her badly disfigured and deeply traumatized.

In a desperate search for help, her father reached out to the U.S. government in February 2002. She was brought to an American military base in Kabul, where doctors contacted the U.S. State Department. That call for help reached Dr. Peter Grossman, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Los Angeles, California. He and his wife, Rebecca, co-founders of the Children’s Burn Foundation, agreed to take Zubaida under their care.

Zubaida was flown to the United States, where she underwent 12 major surgeries at the Grossman Burn Center. With time, treatment, and a whole lot of courage, her transformation was nothing short of miraculous.

For the first time in her life, Zubaida attended school, learned to read and write, and picked up English in under a year. She made close friends and began to experience the joys of childhood—including her very first birthday party and a sleepover when she turned 11 in March 2003.

Inspired by the kindness and medical care she received, Zubaida now dreams of becoming a pediatric doctor. Her goal? To return to Afghanistan and help children like herself rebuild their lives.

Everyone who meets Zubaida is struck by her strength, resilience, and warmth. Her scars tell a story—but so does her spirit, which shines even brighter. While she’s been reunited with her family back home, they continue to live in extreme poverty. Zubaida still needs support for her education and continued medical care.

Her journey is far from over—but with help, she can continue to heal, grow, and one day give back to others, just as others gave to her.