Sudara Stories: Kaveri

We love sharing stories of the women who, as part of a skills-training program, sew together PUNJAMMIES®. The Sudara Stories series highlights a few of these strong, amazing women. Today, we are honored to introduce Kaveri.

 

Kaveri’s Story of Hope and Freedom

Kaveri’s father died when she was six years old.  She does not remember much of her childhood before his death, but she vividly recalls the day that he died, the sound of her mother crying late into the night, the morning they moved in with her mother’s family, and the years of sexual abuse she endured by her uncle.

She never told anyone about the abuse.  She was afraid no one would believe her and that she would bring shame to her mother.  She believed that if she just kept quiet, she could finish her schooling and one day, maybe, he would stop. The sexual abuse did not stop.  And, when she was in her final year of school, she could not bear it any longer.

Kaveri ran away from home in search of a place where she could receive training and begin to make a living on her own.  Yet, every place she went turned her away because she could not pay the required training fees. Without a home or any money for food, she felt like she had no other option than to join the sex trade.  She met with a community worker, though, who told her about the Sudara skills-training centers.

Kaveri is now a part of the training centers and taking courses in sewing, computer technology, and English.  She told us that she is most grateful for the courses in money management and the community of women she is meeting and have become her friends.  We are grateful for the opportunity to welcome Kaveri into the training centers.  And, for the joy, hope, and determination she brings with her each day as she makes plans for her future.

Thank you for continuing to invest in and empower women like Kaveri to create a new life for herself — a life that is free from sex-slavery and full of hope.

Read more Sudara Stories here. And, find the PUNJAMMIES® we named in honor and celebration of Kaveri below.