Maira’s story
After Maira’s* father died, her mother’s financial stress caused her to see Maira as a burden. They lived in extreme poverty—with an income of about $20 a month. Maira was pulled out of school because of the cost of tuition and her mother’s belief that she didn’t need more education. And Maira’s mother almost married […]
Sharona: A story of invaluable hope
Right before Adasha’s* daughter took her own life, she came to Adasha with a desperate plea: “you’re the only one who can raise my baby.” Adasha’s daughter was mercilessly abused by her husband for giving birth to a daughter, and not the son he desperately wanted. The abuse was so severe that Adasha’s daughter took […]
Nagamani’s story
Nagamani* and Perumal wanted to marry each other desperately. But they were from different castes, and Nagamani’s family could also not afford the dowry demanded by Perumal’s parents. Ignoring the societal traditions that would keep them apart, they married in a secret ceremony. Soon afterward, Nagamani became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby […]
Anusha’s story: Rescue from forced marriage
“You are the most beautiful,” Anusha’s* potential mother-in-law said to her, as she stood in between her two cousins. One of three girls was to be chosen to marry the son of a family from a nearby village. As Anusha stood there, her palms began to sweat and her lips quivered. She could feel fear […]