Priya's Story
Priya’s Story
Born the youngest daughter to a poor alcoholic, Priya was virtually invisible in her slum home. Upon a ‘recruiter’ coming to her village and speaking of the need for a young woman to work in the city, Priya was finally seen, but for all the wrong reasons. As a fresh and easily managed commodity, Priya was sold for less than $400 to a brothel owner. She was 13.
She endured for months. The months turned to years. After about five years of abuse, she conceived. Against all odds she was able to carry the baby to full term while still enduring daily abuse in the brothel system. She gave birth only to see the child die four days later.
Violence, abuse and death surrounded her. Within the next year she was forced to abort another pregnancy and learned that she had become HIV positive. Already facing a harsh cultural stigma, being HIV positive pressed her into a depth of darkness and depravity not worth describing. Somehow she survived and was set free. She was brought into an aftercare home marked by love and care. She was offered skill and trade development and took exceptionally well to the tailoring training. She is our first employee.
“I never imagined life free from the brothel because I was a slave there. I tried to run away but never succeeded.”
I thought I have to live there till death.” She smiles big as she talks of freedom, “I want to enjoy my freedom, do things in my way, like get up late on holidays.” She continues, “and to become a master in tailoring.” She is well on her way.
When we ran my first Aruna 5k back in October 2018, we ran it for Priya. We didn’t know where she came from or what she looked like, we didn’t even know her story. I can’t help but think the difference it would’ve made for us to know who she was and where she wanted to go.
Now as I read this incredible story that is Priya’s life, I am struck with the reality of our need for hope as human beings. Without hope, we are Priya stuck in the brothel until death, no where to go, but this isn’t the case.
We do have hope and it is YOU!
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