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Born into extreme poverty in Nepal, Ruma’s* childhood was a constant battle for survival. At just seven years old, she required life-saving surgery to repair a hole in her heart—a procedure far beyond the means of parents who survived by extracting sand from the river for a single meal a day.
Settling a Debt
To save Ruma’s life, her family took a significant loan from an aunt—a debt that grew into an insurmountable shadow. The pressure to settle this financial burden fell entirely on Ruma’s young shoulders.
When Ruma turned 14, her aunt returned with a promising offer. If Ruma went to India to work at a beauty salon, she could finally clear the family’s debt. Trusting her relative and eager to help her parents, Ruma went willingly, unaware that she was being led into a trap.
Ruma was sold into a brothel where she endured years of sexual exploitation. When Ruma begged for her freedom, her aunt claimed the earnings only covered the interest and eventually gave her an ultimatum: if she left, her eight-year-old sister would take her place. Feeling trapped, Ruma chose to remain in captivity, sacrificing herself and shielding her little sister from the same fate.
A Stronger Future
Ruma’s nightmare ended when our partner rescued her, having fought relentlessly for her freedom and clearing the remaining debt.
At 16, Ruma returned to Nepal to live in our partnering safe home with others rescued or diverted from trafficking. While there, she learned cosmetology skills as a reliable way to provide for herself in the future. She graduated in May alongside 36 other girls, each one pursuing a career of her choosing—in beauty, baking, tailoring, electrical work, and beyond.
Ruma and the other graduates look forward to creating stronger futures defined by pursuing their own dreams, inspiring other girls throughout Nepal to do the same.
(*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of this individual.)
