From Trafficking Survivor to Entrepreneur: Ananya’s Story

A new story of overcoming that fills us with pride after 20 years working against human trafficking.

Ananya is 38 years old and lives in a small rural community in Bangladesh. Her case is just one of many we’ve been able to follow over the past two decades of Mumbai Smiles’ work, thanks to the unconditional support of our donors and collaborators.

Necessity leads to difficult decisions

Ananya lived with her family in extremely precarious economic circumstances. With only a primary education, she worked from home as a seamstress while her husband earned a living as a rickshaw driver. The family’s financial situation was so difficult that her children had to drop out of school.

In April 2023, driven by desperation and the hope of a better future for her family, she accepted a job offer as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia. A broker promised her a decent wage in exchange for 20,000 Bangladeshi taka (about €170) to handle the paperwork.

A very different reality than the one promised

What Ananya found upon arrival was a situation of labor exploitation typical of human trafficking. Her documents and phone were confiscated, and all contact with her family was cut off. She worked grueling hours for a family of seven, received only one meal a day, and suffered constant physical and psychological abuse.

When our protagonist bravely refused an inappropriate proposition from her employer, she was beaten and sent back to Bangladesh in May 2023, just three weeks after her arrival.

A difficult return home

The return was no relief. Ananya faced distrust from her own community and even her family. The whispers and suspicious glances plunged her into a deep depression. She became socially isolated and lost all self-confidence.

The turning point: our SAPATH project

This is where the work we do at Mumbai Smiles comes into play. Through our SAPATH project, specifically designed to prevent and address cases of human trafficking, we identified her as a survivor of labor exploitation.

Our local team visited her, listened to her with empathy, and acknowledged her suffering. For the first time since her return, Ananya felt understood and supported. This emotional support was essential to begin healing the wounds and rebuilding lost trust.

The road to recovery

Recognizing her determination and strength, we connected her with the local Women’s Affairs Office, where she completed a three-month training in sewing. Upon completion, she received 15,000 taka (approximately 125 euros) as initial support. With the continued support of our team, Ananya decided to start a small business that would combine her sewing skills with the sale of clothing and basic goods.

A complete tranformation

Today, Ananya is much more than a trafficking survivor: she’s a respected entrepreneur in her community. Her children have returned to school, her family is financially stable, and the same neighbors who once distrusted her are now regular customers of her business.

She has also regained her financial independence, her dignity, and her voice. Her story is a perfect example of how, with the right support, people can overcome the most difficult situations.

Looking towards future

Encouraged by her success and with our continued support, Ananya is seeking a small loan to expand her business and create a poultry farm that will ensure the long-term sustainability of her family.

20 years of stories like Ananya’s

Ananya’s story joins all the stories of overcoming challenges we have been able to share over these 20 years of work in the fight against human trafficking and defending human rights.

Each of these transformations has been possible thanks to the support of our donors, who allow us to be there when people need it most. Thanks to their trust, we can offer not only immediate assistance but also the tools necessary for trafficking survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity.

Ananya’s story reminds us that behind every statistic about human trafficking, there is a person with dreams, hopes, and an incredible capacity for resilience. And it confirms that our work, your support, and solidarity can change lives in real and lasting ways.

 If you want to be part of these transformational stories, but haven’t yet, find out how you can support our work against human trafficking.