We love sharing stories of the women who are employed or attending a skills-training program at one of our partner centers in India. The Sudara Stories series highlights a few of these strong, amazing women. Today, we are honored to introduce Pari.
Pari’s Story of Hope and Freedom
Pari’s father was infected with HIV/AIDS and spread it to her mother. The stigma around HIV/AIDS was so great in their community that Pari’s mother and father could not find work or even enter the home of Pari’s grandparents. A few years passed and her father died due to complications from HIV/AIDS. Desperate, her mother tried to find ways to support their family and keep Pari in school where she was thriving and very successful in her studies. Though very intelligent, Pari was eventually turned away from school because of the stigma attached to her family. During this dark time, Pari’s mother attempted suicide twice. Having no way to sustain her family or herself, Pari’s mother made a deal with the local pimps in their area to sell Pari for a good price. Pari refused this plan, and approached one of our partner centers for help. She was able to quickly move into one of their restoration homes. In the restoration homes, women and girls receive medical care, mental health care and counseling, education through the employable skills training program, and love from an organization that works to build them up and give them hope and a future. Pari is currently living in the home and is able to continue her studies at the center.
Thank you for investing in and empowering women like Pari to create a new life for herself. You can read more Sudara Stories here. And, find the Punjammies we named in honor and celebration of Pari here.