House of Hope - A way out for homeless women

Dear Donor,

It is the social world that does not or cannot bring itself to accommodate its outcast women. Thus, unaccommodated women – the homeless, single mothers, battered and abused women, women working the streets – have not accepted, or sometimes have been refused, their place in the world.” 

Homelessness puts women open to physical and spatial vulnerability. There is the inevitable threat of sexual violence and loss of belongings while living on the streets. 

Everyone needs a safe and secure home, where we can live close to family and friends, especially as we grow older. It’s alarming to hear that many older women are now facing an insecure future of homelessness and housing instability.

To help all such women to feel secure, safe and empowered El Shaddai arrived with a ray of Hope as it opened its doors to a beautiful Home called “House of Hope”. The name says it all as this Home provides shelter, food, medical care, counselling services, and vocational training like tailoring, embroidery, weaving etc. Presently there are 10 women living in this Home.

Here is a story of a woman who calls this Shelter her Home.

Unlike many other women, Divya (name changed) isn’t “homeless” Her home just doesn't feel like one. She feels her home is no less than a “prison” and that she feels more at home at the homeless shelter.

Her husband is an alcoholic. All he does is drink and beat her mercilessly. She could not report her sad plight to her parents as they felt that it’s her life now and no matter what, the Husband is the head of the family and the wife has to do as he says.

After years of this mental and physical abuse, she finally decided to walk out of her “so-called marriage” and found her freedom in the “House of Hope”. She no longer has to face this trauma again in her life.

Unfortunately, there are many such women in our country who are living on the streets, under bridges and at railway stations and we want to help and support these women by providing security, support and safety.

We are sincerely thankful to our donors and well-wishers for your generous support towards this cause. And we look forward towards a continued friendship.

 Yours Sincerely,

Best wishes from El Shaddai 

Links:

• https://childrescue.net/

Dear Donor,

In India, it is ironic that a woman is treated like a commodity or a slave in a culture regarded as "Shakthi" – the strength. She is mistreated and subjected to atrocities inside her own home in addition to being deprived of her pride and dignity outside of it. They face discrimination on two fronts: first, due to their gender; and second, due to their lack of wealth.

El Shaddai Charitable Trust realised how important it is to give women the tools they need to feel and act autonomously. Currently, the ladies in this homework are in the fields of embroidery, tailoring, and art. Depending on their talent and capabilities, we encourage women to enter financially feasible occupations.

In order to provide women with a chance to live the life they had always desired, the "House of Hope" shelter was established. Our team at El Shaddai keeps a close eye on the situation in rural regions, makes every effort to end all forms of violence, and aids women who are in need.

Radha (name changed) was brought here by her brother. She has diabetes and is in depression. She had a hand injury when she came to our centre. Since she has diabetes, it was very difficult for her to recover. She used to get irritated and shout at people if someone comes near to her. Our team made her feel comfortable and provided her with medical assistance. In order to determine the precise source of her predicament and to help her recover from the trauma she had been through for so many days, a counselling session was then scheduled. The counselling session revealed that the spouse was primarily to blame for upsetting her serene and content marital life. She experienced harassment, abuse, and expulsion from the home. After that she went back to her home, and her father expired which had a very big impact on her mental health. Her brother asked for help since he was financially unstable. He also had to look after his family and his sister.

House of Hope helped Radha (name changed) to come out of the situation through many counselling sessions and medications. She is currently receiving vocational training in embroidery, hand knitting, and tailoring. We make them independent and escape poverty by developing marketable skills.

El Shaddai Family!

Links:

• https://childrescue.net/