Rani's Story
"I had four children. My two older children, a girl and a boy, were washed away by the Tsunami. To add to my sadness of losing two children, I was subjected to constant beatings from my husband, who is in the fishing trade. I was in hiding most of the time in a relative’s house with my younger two children for over 8 years.
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I went to the Police Station over 20 times to lodge complaints and to try and resolve my problems. The Police mediated and sent me back saying ‘after all he is your husband’. On the last occasion, when I went to the Police Station to complain, they referred me to WIN’s Weligama Police Counseling desk and to a WIN counselor. This time they saw my injuries, and understood why I could not go back. I was taken to WIN’s Matara shelter, for safety and further counseling. I then got transferred to WIN’s Colombo Shelter, as my husband, kept following me when I went to hospital for treatment.
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I was counseled and supported for over a year by the WIN counselors, who were kind and very understanding. The lawyers at WIN eventually obtained a Protection Order against my husband after several hearings. My 12 year old daughter could not continue to study and did not feel safe at home. So she too stayed with me at the shelter for one month. WIN managed to place her in a home to continue her studies. During my one year in WIN’s safe space, I was introduced to WIN’s skills project in Colombo, where I learnt a skill in manufacturing recycled paper and products.
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Weekly I learnt new things; I could feel a difference in myself. I made new friends, women just like me, who had come to WIN for help. I learnt of their difficulties and life stories, such as mine. I felt more confident to bring out my ideas and thoughts as time went by. I sought assistance from them every step of the way as I learnt that it was me who had to be strong. I felt proud of the wage I earned daily through my hard work. I felt proud of being able to shower my daughter with a few sweets and gifts whenever I got the chance to see her. I felt empowered and free, the ‘Me’, I had forgotten existed. My life had changed….
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After one year, I returned home, but WIN continued to counsel and support not only me but my husband, who promised not to beat me but be good to me. Today my husband, my son and I live together and my husband supports the family. I am now self-employed and contributing to the family home, through the skills taught to me whilst I was at the WIN Shelter.
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This is my story. I am where I am today, thanks to WIN. I know that your contribution, support and encouragement towards its activities and projects will always be appreciated by many women, and their families. Your support has helped so many of us re-build our lives."