Savita’s case (name changed)
Even today we all remember the day when Savita entered Sukh Shanti. A woman draped in a sari was limping but she had hope in her eyes, two of our residents went outside to support her. She was told to sit and water was offered to her, then she began to cry. We understood that she has gone through a lot of suffering so she was told to refresh herself and have food and take rest. Her expression showed gratitude towards SS
After 2-3 days it was observed that she was comfortable then she was called in the office. She began to narrate her story, she belonged to a maharashtrian family, she has parents, brothers, sisters .
She stays at khar , inspite of financial constraints they were very happy, she wanted to take up a job to support the family. With the help of her friend she got a job in a company and began working in the packaging section, she realized that a boy was following her, initially she ignored but later they became friends and fell in love with each other. Subsequently they got married in a temple, since that day. He began physically, sexually exploiting her, she tried to adjust as her family was not supportive toward her. She then went to her mother in law to help her to make him understand, initially she was resistant but then she allowed them to stay with her, even then her husband’s’s behavior did not change and became an alcoholic, she delivered 4 daughters with a gap of one year between each child, and stayed as a dependent in the family, she did all the household chores. The mother in law loved the daughters. They began schooling , but one day the mother in law threw Savita and her husband out of the house, so they began staying on rent. The husband began suspecting Savita and everyday he would create a problem. He would fight and he was even picked up by the police and detained in the lockup, influenced by criminals . One day when he was in police custody for half murder, Savita was shattered, she was on the street shelterless. Her mother in law and brother in law were ready to take care of the 4 daughters but no place for Savita. The Khar police station knew her story and brought her to Sukh Shanti. Her age was about 35 to 40 years. She was polite , cooperative and hardworking and participated in cooking, tailoring, beautician course. She expressed that she had never felt so much peace.
She used to miss her daughters , then staff would phone her mother in law for enquiring about her daughters, initially she would cut the phone in anger but one day the staff made her understand that Savita had full right to speak to her daughters, once mother allowed the eldest daughter to speak with Savita. At times Savita would feel depressed, but counseling helped her to boost her energy, while she walked there was some discomfort, on asking her she said her uterus had prolapsed, so there is difficulty in walking. During the doctor’s next visit she said that Savita needs to be taken to the gynecology department, the following day she was taken to the Centenary hospital, she was advised blood test and sonography. When this procedure was going on , we received the first letter from the Arthur road jail in the name of Savita mentioning how forcefully she has been kept in the Sukh Shanti institution. A letter from DWCD making enquiry about Savita as her husband had complained against Sukh Shanti, so the institution had to give an explanatory letter to DWCD, giving all information regarding Savita. Every week there would be one letter from her husband from the prison.
We received all her medical reports. Savita had to undergo surgery and her uterus would have to be removed. But for this we needed the consent of her relatives. On the day of the operation her mother in law was requested to come to the hospital, just to sign , but she did not respond.
Finally staff wrote to DWCD about Savita’s medical issue and SS taking responsibility for the operation. So Savita was admitted to Sion hospital. Staff signed and the operation was done. After one week , she was brought to Sukh Shanti . Savita was fine and she was very thankful. Days went by and she got back to the routine. Her husband continued to write letters to her. , after a few months her husband was released from the prison and came to Sukh Shanti to meet her, initially he came across as very decent. He requested Savita to return home, she told him she is not ready to go with him, he has to start earning as now they have to take responsibility of 4 daughters and how long will the mother and brother take responsibility. He listened to Savita quietly and left. After 2-3 days he returned again drunk, he was totally different, he was screaming and shouting and not even in a position to stand, then he was threatening all the staff, he knew personal details of the staff, so the police were informed. We told him that if Savita wants to return home he would be informed and he need not come to Sukh Shanti. After every 2 days he would keep calling Savita to return home, after talking to Savita she said she would like to give her husband a second chance, so the husband was called and a joint meeting was held along with the mother in law, when all were counseled, she went back to her family. Her husband began working, daughters were regularly going to school . Every year Savita visits Sukh shanti for Ganesh festival. Now her daughters have grown up and her parents have accepted her. Two years back her husband expired, she is still in contact with Sukh Shanti as she is grateful that she is alive today. Savita was in Sukh Shanti for two long years.
Efforts taken by Sukh Shanti—
- The woman was given time to settle down before interviewing her.
- Observing the woman walking led to her being consulted for gynecology and subsequent operation
- Sukh shanti took responsibility for the woman’s operation when the family was not.
- Facing the threats of her husband from Arthur Road prison
- Having intense counseling with the entire family and taking the woman’s consent while handing her over to her marital family.
Seema (Jayashree/Shaheen)
Seema was barely 18 years when she came to SukhShanti,( SS) She came voluntarily from Kasturbha Mahila Vastigruha ( Govt. Home). When she came she looked very pale and weak. SS superintendent told her to settle without asking for too much information.Next day when she seemed comfortable, we came to know that she belongs to a Brahmin family, her parents , sister brother all worked in NRC in Ambivli. Mother is a housewife and has completed 1st year B. com, all was going on well. Her parents were a little orthodox, but always supported her in her education.
She used to travel by train to college, she realized one boy used to follow her, they both got friendly and she was attracted to him, one day he proposed to her, without thinking twice , she accepted his proposal,( he is educated till 8th standard) they started dating and one day realized that he belonged to a different religion, she knew her parents would never accept the relationship, but love has no boundaries and they ran away and got married. In the beginning every thing was fine, they stayed in a slum in Wadala, she tried to adjust to the circumstances, however as time passed, they began to have small fights, soon she got pregnant and she thought all would be fine. They still had fights but she could not confide in her parents as she had got married against their wishes, she was missing her mother a lot.
Days went by and she gave birth to a baby boy. She looked after the household and looked after the baby, as her inlaws were in the native place.Her husband never helped her, in fact she noticed some drastic changes in him, he began drinking and would harass her physically, mentally, sexually, he stopped going for work, there was no money , her health became critical, and she realized she was pregnant again, since her older child was very small she decided to go for an abortion, but looking at her health, medical staff refused to abort the baby, she had no choice but to continue the pregnancy
Days went by and she gave birth to a second son. Husband treated her badly but inspite of being educated she could not work… she would sit sometimes outside the Masjid to beg for food. Her condition was pathetic. When her children were 3 years and 2 years, she was diagnosed for tuberculosis, she left her children with the husband and got admitted in the Sewri TB hospital for 3 to 4 months, hospital authorities kept calling her husband, but he never turned up in the hospital. She realized what she had done in her life, she was shelter less. The social worker from Sewri hospital contacted Kasturba Mahila Ashram(a govt home), she stayed there for a few months, she completed her TB course and left Kasturba home and from there she was referred to SS for further rehabilitation.
In SS the focus was on her TB treatment. She was normal but was very weak, she was given fruit, milk and eggs, day by day her health improved, she became active and participated in all the activities in the home, like tailoring, knitting, cooking, beautician , embroidery etc, she took initiative and was cooperative and polite
One day during counseling session, she said she wanted to complete her education, after discussing with the committee, she took admission in SY Bsc from correspondence . SS paid her fees . She was very sincere, but did not ignore the duties and responsibilities assigned to her and she completed her 2nd year and got into the third year.
Meanwhile the social worker of Kotak education visited SS and enrolled her under the Unnati project for BPO , catering, hospitality, for which 5 girls from SS were selected. Seema got selected for BPO as she has studied beyond 10th std, she began her training and did her studies too. She was punctual , sincere while travelling , after completing training she completed her graduation. On basis of her training she got a job in a call centre. She was confident and happy as it was her first job… she took everybody’s blessings.
Once during a counseling session, it was suggested to her if she would like to contact her parents as they would forgive her and support her. Social worker called up and her father picked up the call. When staff enquired about Seema, he cut the phone several times. He said now she is dead for us so please don’t contact again.
She was very upset and shattered, she realized her mistake too late, she seemed depressed for a few days, then one day she said she would like to meet her children and gave the number of her husband staff told him to come to SS within 2-3 days, he came to SS with the 2 children. She was seeing the children after 2 years. On seeing them she hugged them tightly and cried. The children did not react much .But Seema did not look at her husband. When staff tried, she refused to speak… he had spoilt her whole life, if she had no support from SS, she would have died… She felt he lied to her and played with her emotions. Leaving ones children behind is not easy for a mother, but she did it because she herself had nothing, where could she have lived with her children, but she was happy that they were with the father. He said he was sorry for his deeds, but she ignored him and went inside the dormitory, and he left with the 2 children.
After a few days she said now that she has a job and savings, she would shift in a hostel or paying guest accommodation. How long can she stay in SS, she wanted to pursue MBA. Staff was happy on her decision and supported her, so then social worker looked out for a paying guest accommodation for her, she shifted, she got a good opportunity to do her MBA and now she is a successful woman. So after so many years she is still in paying guest accommodation. Slowly she got in touch with her parents, they forgave her but she doesn’t want to return to her parents, she wants to be independent, whenever they need her they can contact her.
During festivals she visits SS, she is ever grateful to SS as it had given her an identity or else she would have been on the streets or would have been dead by now. She owes it to SS on being a successful woman.
Effort of Sukh Shanti—
- Helping the woman to settle down emotionally
- Treating the woman for tuberculosis ( long term)
- Helping her to get into a vocational training
- Helping the woman to obtain a job
- Respecting the woman’s decision
- Helping the woman to get alternate accommodation
- Keeping in touch with the woman after being discharged
- The woman was with SS for two years.