Egyptian group helps burn victims fight stigma

Hend El-Banna, founder of 'Containment' initiative to support people with burns, poses during a video with Hanan Ashraf as part of her initiative's activities in Alexandria, Egypt October 5, 2021. REUTERS/Hanaa Habib

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (Reuters) - More than 20 years after suffering burns to her arms, neck and chest when the kettle caught fire as she was making tea, Egyptian Hend el-Banna is trying to help other burn victims avoid the stigma and rejection she has long faced.

Banna grew up in Saudi Arabia and struggled to secure a job when she returned to Egypt. She was engaged four times, then rejected by each fiance's family because of her looks.