From Shadows to Strength: Meena’s Journey of Resilience and Hope

Meena (Name Changed) was a single mother from Nepal and her life was incredibly tough for her. She had two young children to take care of and it was difficult to provide for them on her own. Each day was filled with worry about how she would feed them, clothe them and give them a better life. After a lot of thought, Meena made a brave decision: she would go to a Gulf country to earn money. She hoped that by working abroad, she could change her family’s life for the better.

Meena knew that the journey would be challenging. She contacted a local agent who promised to help her find work in Lebanon (Country Name Changed). With the agent’s assistance, she began her long but hopeful journey. First, she traveled from Nepal to Sri Lanka. From there, she went to India and then to Abu Dhabi. Finally, she arrived in Lebanon. Each step of the way was filled with obstacles but Meena remained determined. She dreamt of the day when she could send money back home to her children.

When Meena reached Lebanon, she quickly realized that earning money was much harder than she had anticipated. She worked hard day and night as a domestic helper, cleaning, cooking and taking care of her employer’s home. The hours were long, and she often felt exhausted. Despite the challenges, she kept her children in her thoughts. She would reminisce their smiling faces and remind herself why she was working so hard. Meena believed that if she could save enough money, she could return home and provide a better life for her family.

However, everything changed one fateful day. While working for her employer, a tragic accident occurred. Her employer’s son died and Meena was wrongfully accused of causing his death. This was devastating for her. She knew she had not done anything wrong but the accusation put her in a very dangerous situation. Fearing for her safety, Meena decided to flee. She found refuge with another Nepali migrant for several months, hoping to find a way out of this nightmare.

During her time in hiding, Meena felt lost and alone. She worried constantly about her children back home and feared for their future. However, a volunteer from a Caritas Nepal migration project learned about her case through her family. This volunteer reached out to her and offered help. With their support, Meena’s situation began to change. The project worked tirelessly to coordinate with the Nepal Embassy in Lebanon and other organizations to ensure her safe return to Nepal.

Finally, after a long wait, Meena was able to come home. When she arrived in Nepal, she was physically and emotionally drained. She was ill and had no place to stay. The journey had taken a toll on her, but the joy of being reunited with her children brought her comfort. The project team intervened immediately, providing her with shelter, medical care and essential necessities.

Jhapa Rural Municipality also helped by providing her with a safe place to stay. Additionally, Caritas Nepal stepped in to support her by providing livestock, including a cow and piglets to help her rebuild her livelihood. Now, Meena is happily reunited with her family. Although her journey was filled with challenges, she remains hopeful about the future. With the support of the organizations that helped her, she is working hard to create a better life for her children. Meena has learned that even in the darkest times, there is a light of hope and a chance for a new beginning.