At Luma, we’re privileged to support women from all walks of life. As the financial year ends, we reflect on the journeys we’ve witnessed. Here are four stories from the 5,000+ women we walk beside to support annually. This is Roshni’s story.
Roshni’s life was shaped by years of fear. Her husband’s abuse became the background noise of her days – a constant tension, a weight she carried in her chest. When he finally left, their youngest child was only six months old. He vanished without warning, leaving Roshni in a silent house with three children, no income, and no one to turn to.
The loneliness pressed in from all sides. English felt like a locked door she couldn’t open, and every phone call or knock at the door made her heart race. She hesitated to ask for help, afraid of being misunderstood or dismissed. One night, standing in her kitchen, she opened the cupboard doors and stared at the bare shelves, her hands shaking as she wondered how she would feed her children the next day.
When Roshni finally reached out to us, her voice was quiet, her eyes wary. At first, she only shared fragments of her story, but with each meeting, the silence between us grew softer. She began to realise she wasn’t alone – others had walked this path too. Hope flickered, fragile but real, as she started to believe she could rebuild.
Together, we made a plan for her safety and stability. We connected her with services for food, housing, and legal support, and found someone who could speak with her in her own language – a lifeline that made the world feel less overwhelming. In these safe spaces, Roshni began to unravel her story, allowing herself to grieve, to heal, and to dream of something better.
Today, Roshni stands taller. She’s learning English, advocating for herself in courtrooms and banks, and setting goals for her future. She’s determined to rejoin the workforce and to give back to the community that lifted her up during the hardest time in her life. Most importantly, she no longer sees herself through the lens of her suffering. She tells her children, “We are survivors.”
With every step forward, Roshni is showing her children, and herself, that a safer, brighter future isn’t just a distant hope. It’s something she’s building, day by day, with courage and love.
Roshni’s journey is still unfolding as she creates a safe and healthy life. With your support, we can walk beside more women like Roshni, helping them find hope and healing.
[Names and identifying details have been changed to protect our client’s anonymity]
