I was totally unaware of my rights and my strength, when I first contacted Manavi and came to Ashiana. I was helpless, shattered and broken person who had no confidence in herself, no sense of her rights and very scared to question others intents and motives interfering with my personal life to the extent of disrupting its normalcy.

For me future was black. I was in such low spirits that there was not even desire to have a hope for a better future. Betrayed and deceived by my now-soon-to-be ex-husband who at that time was the only one I trusted and loved completely and then used and abused by my own relatives here. I had become numb to my own situation and its effects on my daughter.

Now when I look back at the past year I can't believe the person that I had become from zero confidence, no self esteem. And if Manavi had not extended its helping hands I might still be the same person. I am so thankful to Allah Almighty for sending me help through Manavi.

Today I find myself a strong person; someone who can take a stand for her and other's rights. Someone who will stand up for herself, and equally importantly, someone who truly believes in the power of almighty, and now who is proud of who she is. Some one who not only sees a future but truly believes in that.

In the past year Manavi helped me regain my equilibrium/ stability and my sense of self. Manavi through its services and its dedicated volunteers helped me to get my self respect and self confidence back to dream again and to have faith and confidence in my dreams. I could not have done that without Manavi, be it the Legal Clinic, support group, counseling or Razia's standing by me during my court dates in the days when going to the court and facing my husband used to frighten me to death. For all those gentle helping hands whether extended to pull me up or used to give me a push to awaken and get moving in the right direction meant so much to me. I cannot separate the services offered by Manavi and cannot categorize them. For me they were all very important.

I haven't mentioned Ashiana until now, which Almighty has given me. And I don't think I would be able to put my feelings into words about Ashiana, a roof over my head - to protect me from being homeless. It felt like my home with its focus on confidentiality. The best thing about living in Ashiana is that whoever you are, wherever you come from, each and every member is different, calm or hard headed, every resident and member of the house is treated with equal love, care and attention. As for me being an Ashiana resident, I would say that Ashiana has given us everything for living or should I say that more than what one could expect. Ashiana has provided us with best of its services and given us a chance to grow and become independent and stand on out feet, much more than one could think.

Manavi's gentle helping hands extended to pull me out from the darkness of my past to brightness of my future. I have experienced a tremendous change in my life. I am thankful to Manavi with all my heart.