Sonyia, an activist from New Delhi, holds a child at the Sheroes Hangout Cafe in Agra, India. The cafe is staffed by acid attack survivors.
Sonyia, an activist from New Delhi, holds a child at the Sheroes Hangout Cafe in Agra, India. The cafe is staffed by acid attack survivors.
Federico Borella
The cafe is not far from the Taj Mahal, which can be seen in the upper left.
The cafe is not far from the Taj Mahal, which can be seen in the upper left.
Federico Borella
A guestbook at the cafe sings the women's praises.
A guestbook at the cafe sings the women's praises.
Federico Borella
Dolly braids Ritu's hair in Agra. The two work at the cafe, which was founded by Stop Acid Attacks, a New Delhi-based nonprofit.
Dolly braids Ritu's hair in Agra. The two work at the cafe, which was founded by Stop Acid Attacks, a New Delhi-based nonprofit.
Federico Borella
Rupa, center, teaches a few customers to dance in February. "This picture for me represents what is the real mission of the Sheroes Hangout," photographer Federico Borella said. Sheroes' mission is to create awareness about acid attacks and build confidence in acid attack survivors.
Rupa, center, teaches a few customers to dance in February. "This picture for me represents what is the real mission of the Sheroes Hangout," photographer Federico Borella said. Sheroes' mission is to create awareness about acid attacks and build confidence in acid attack survivors.
Federico Borella
A close-up of Rupa's eye. According to the Acid Survivors Foundation in India, acid attacks result from a number of situations: family disputes, vengefulness, jealousy, mistaken identity and sex crimes, among others. There were 249 reported acid attacks last year in India, the foundation said.
A close-up of Rupa's eye. According to the Acid Survivors Foundation in India, acid attacks result from a number of situations: family disputes, vengefulness, jealousy, mistaken identity and sex crimes, among others. There were 249 reported acid attacks last year in India, the foundation said.
Federico Borella
Gita bakes bread in the cafe's kitchen. On the wall are the imprints of all the survivors' hands.
Gita bakes bread in the cafe's kitchen. On the wall are the imprints of all the survivors' hands.
Federico Borella
Ritu and Farah prepare to serve food.
Ritu and Farah prepare to serve food.
Federico Borella
Gita holds her blind daughter, Nitu, for a portrait. Gita's other daughter, Krishna, was killed in the acid attack.
Gita holds her blind daughter, Nitu, for a portrait. Gita's other daughter, Krishna, was killed in the acid attack.
Federico Borella
Rupa wears a traditional sari as she poses for a portrait at home. She owns a little boutique inside the Sheroes cafe where she sells her own handmade clothing.
Rupa wears a traditional sari as she poses for a portrait at home. She owns a little boutique inside the Sheroes cafe where she sells her own handmade clothing.
Federico Borella
Dolly needs to dry her face many times a day following an operation.
Dolly needs to dry her face many times a day following an operation.
Federico Borella
From left are portraits of Rupa, Ritu and Dolly before they were disfigured.
From left are portraits of Rupa, Ritu and Dolly before they were disfigured.
Federico Borella
Farah serves a customer at the cafe.
Farah serves a customer at the cafe.
Federico Borella
Ritu sits inside the cafe. "In this picture, I can see Ritu thinking," Borella said. "She's not aware of my presence."
Ritu sits inside the cafe. "In this picture, I can see Ritu thinking," Borella said. "She's not aware of my presence."
Federico Borella
Ritu packs her clothes in her luggage.
Ritu packs her clothes in her luggage.
Federico Borella
Dolly, Ritu, Nitu and Rupa walk in the streets of Agra.
Dolly, Ritu, Nitu and Rupa walk in the streets of Agra.
Federico Borella