Prabha and her daughter are together: a new beginning

This is the story of a new beginning. This story reminds us that to have opportunities, some people have to fight hard. But luckily, these people are not alone and we want to reach them. This is a story of 29-year-old Prabha, the latest woman to arrive at our Udaan shelter and about how we achieved something important this week: reuniting her with her four-year-old daughter.

A life marked by survival

Prabha was born in West Bengal. At a young age, she married a man from her village, with whom she had a son, who is now 11 years old. When her husband left her for another woman, her parents, strapped for cash, remarried her to a divorced man who worked in Bombay.

With him, she had a four-year-old daughter, but her new life became complicated when her second husband fell deeply into debt. He then convinced Prabha to come to Mumbai with the promise of finding her a job, but the reality was very different.

Trapped in exploitation

Her husband began sexually exploiting her. Prabha felt betrayed and desperate, but the constant threats and her vulnerable situation kept her trapped. He completely controlled the money she earned.

When she tried to escape to her hometown with her eldest son, leaving her young daughter with her husband, the threats intensified. Her own family rejected her and he used the child to emotionally blackmail her and to force her return.

A point of reflection

Prabha knew she had to change her life. She tried to study sewing, but her husband’s constant interference prevented her from doing so. Her determination to escape that situation and create a better future for her children led her to us.

In the Udaan centre since July: the beginning of freedom

Since July, Prabha has been at our Udaan shelter in Mumbai, a safe haven for women seeking to break the chains of trafficking. During these weeks, she has worked tirelessly on her recovery and planning how to reunite with her daughter.

An operation that changed everything

This week, we carried out a crucial operation: working alongside the police, we were able to reunite Prabha with her four-year-old daughter. Since Tuesday, mother and daughter have been together in Udaan, starting a new life away from exploitation and fear.

The life has just begun

Seeing Prabha hug her daughter after so long has been moving, but we know this is just the beginning. The hardest part is over, but the road to independence won’t be easy. Prabha wants to resume her sewing studies, find a decent job and raise her two children in freedom.

Your support will mark the difference

While you enjoy your well-deserved break, perhaps you can reflect on stories like Prabha’s. Thousands of women remain trapped in similar situations and every story of liberation is possible thanks to the support of people like you.

How can you support?

• Make a donation: Every euro counts to keep shelters like Udaan running.
• Share this story: Help us raise awareness by sharing on your social networks.
• Spread the word about our work: Talk to family and friends about what we do.Prabha and her daughter now have a real opportunity to build the future they deserve. With your help, we can ensure more stories like theirs have a hopeful ending.

  Will you join us in this mission?