By Soph Stephens | Digital Manager
When Manju arrived at Urja, she was 28 and carrying more than just a small bag of belongings — she carried years of trauma, heartbreak, and a longing for safety.
She had fled her home in Rajasthan after enduring persistent physical and psychological abuse from her husband. Leaving meant losing her only daughter — a heartbreak no mother should have to bear. Determined to start again, she sought refuge in a shelter, hoping for safety, only to be met with bullying and poor treatment. She felt more isolated than ever.
Then she found Urja.
Urja is not just a shelter; it is a safe space run by women who are deeply committed to helping other women rebuild their lives. Manju was welcomed with compassion and care. The team listened. They didn’t just offer her a bed; they offered her a path forward.
Through counselling and therapy, Manju began to process the years of hardship. With the support of Urja’s legal aid partners, she started the journey to regain custody of her daughter, something she once thought impossible. The team also helped her file a case against her husband and are currently working to collect evidence to pursue divorce on grounds of cruelty.
But beyond legal and emotional support, Manju was given the opportunity to dream again. She enrolled in a vocational skills programme and discovered a passion for graphic design. With the encouragement of the Urja team, she is now preparing to join an advanced course, a step towards long-term independence and rebuilding a future for herself and her daughter.
She’s not there yet but she’s on her way. And Urja remains her base: a safe roof over her head, friends to study and laugh with, and people who care deeply about her success.
This is only possible because of your support.
Your generosity means women like Manju don’t have to face their battles alone. They can connect back to themselves, rediscover their strength, and begin again — with dignity, with choices, and with hope.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
