House of Hope - A way out for homeless women

Dear Patron,

 “It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

The phenomenon of homelessness is one of the worst forms of urban poverty and social vulnerability. It is tragic and unacceptable in a civilised society and independent India that a large percentage of our poor are homeless. No one wants to be homeless by choice – it is a situation people are forced into – like endemic poverty. Women constitute one of the groups worst affected by homelessness. While the phenomenon of homelessness violates the most basic of human rights for all populations, women without housing and living on the streets suffer the most severe kinds of abuse and violence. State response to the needs of homeless women is grossly inadequate and the majority of homeless women are left to fend for themselves.

El Shaddai has provided aid to the homeless by starting a home for such women. It is dedicated to women’s issues and is instrumental in addressing a wide spectrum of challenges faced by women.

We have a story of a lady named Sudha (name changed) found in Goa, India's streets. She was thrown out of her house by her husband and to make matters worse her relatives took away her maternal home by making her forcibly sign the house documents. They took away all her personal belongings and she was left to the mercy of the streets. Her only solace and comfort was her mother who stayed with her on the streets facing the storms of life. They were approached by the El Shaddai team and immediately taken to our home where they could have warm food, shelter and clean clothes to wear. They are both now safe and sound in our El Shaddai Home – a name just right for it- “House of Hope”.

 By focusing on education, and economic empowerment El Shaddai contributes to building a more equitable and just society.

As we move forward with your continued support, we are grateful for your kind donations which have helped us immensely to bring changes in the lives of these women. We express our deepest gratitude for your generous support and kindness.

 

With gratitude

El Shaddai 

Links:

• http://www.childrescue.net

Dear Donor

Homeless women face different challenges as compared to homeless men. Women are predominantly vulnerable to victimization, sexual assault, and physical violence. The effects of homelessness on women are multifaceted and far-reaching. Beyond the immediate struggle of lacking shelter, homeless women often face heightened risks to their physical and mental health.

Homelessness is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across various demographics, but its impact on women is particularly profound. Women experiencing homelessness face unique challenges and vulnerabilities, often stemming from systemic inequalities and social injustices. Homeless women are at greater risk of experiencing violence and exploitation on the streets, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and instability.

Many such Homeless women are residing at our “House of Hope” Women’s shelter. This place offers a beautiful home with all the amenities needed to live comfortably. We have vocational training for these women where they learn beautiful embroidery, sewing and artwork. They make doormats, and handbags, sew dresses, and learn Mehendi Art. Presently we have 9 women residing here. These women who were once on the streets have finally found a house to call their home.

We have a story of a resident from the House of Hope” Her name is Shanti (name changed). She was homeless due to abuse she suffered in the home, complicated by chronic anxiety and depression. She was a very young girl when her parents abandoned her due to their failed marriage and left her under the custody of her old grandparents. She grew up as a sulk young girl due to a difficult childhood and had to work as a helper in the kitchen for a living. After her grandparent's death, she became alone. She was living in a rented house but she couldn’t afford the rent of the house. Then she started living on the street and Begging on the Road.

With the weight of her misfortune bearing down upon her, she was Begging on the Road.  One of our outreach workers saw her, rescued her immediately, and brought her to the Home. With every passing day, she took small steps towards rebuilding her life. She took an interest in learning the art of making handbags. She put beautiful designs on it like animal prints, nature, etc. She refused to let her circumstances define her. She possessed a resilient spirit, and a determination to rise above her current situation.

In the end, it was her unwavering spirit and her determination to rise above her circumstances that enabled her to find her way out of the darkness. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can be found and dreams can be realized. We want to help all such women to feel safe and secure and all this can be done with your help and support for this wonderful cause. Till date with your continued support, we have been able to help 200+ women to find hope and solace.

We the El Shaddai family express our deepest gratitude for your generous support. Your contribution has played a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission and make a positive impact in our community. Without your unwavering support, none of this would have been possible.


  
Sincerely 
 

El Shaddai family

Links:

• https://www.childrescue.net/