Let’s know more about Pramila and her work in Udaan

A few weeks ago we introduced you to Pramila, who had started working as a caregiver at the Udaan shelter for women who have managed to flee from human trafficking and are in the process of recovering.

¿Could you tell us about your experience with Mumbai Smiles?

I have been working here since December 2021 and in this relatively short period of time of 3 months, I can say that I feel that Udaan is my home. I am enjoying my work and I am doing what I always wanted to do.

Pramila, How is every day in Udaan?

I am a full-time caregiver for these women who have survived human trafficking and are struggling to live a normal life. My job is not only to do activities with these women, but also to have a good relationship with them to understand their physical and mental problems.

We start the day practicing yoga. All the women in the house are very active and motivate each other to participate. After the exercise session, we have various activities planned for every day of the week. We have a professional tailor on our team who teaches them how to sew, measure and all the details of tailoring. Some of them are really very good and want to continue sewing as a profession.

Other days we learn gardening. This activity helps us develop patience. They are all very careful with plants and we even managed to grow vegetables for cooking.

In the afternoon, some days we have mental health sessions, or Life Skills Empowerment (skills development) or personal hygiene, which help them to understand and know themselves and also to better understand the lives of their companions. They all have a complicated past and have suffered, so these sessions help them understand themselves and their companions of this house.

What do you like the most of your work?

I have always wanted to work with women from vulnerable communities to share my knowledge about HIV and raise awareness among them. When I started working, I was just a caregiver, but slowly, as we added sessions and got to know each one of them, I was able to understand them better and I think they also began to trust me and share their problems with me. Now, I feel like I am their sister and no longer a caretaker.

What are your future plans?

I would like to continue working with these women and I want to see them grow confident and self-sufficient. It gives me great satisfaction to see the Udaan family grow with the help of so many people. I am grateful to Mumbai Smiles for giving me this opportunity.

Thank you, Pramila, what a great commitment!