“Every stitch I make is a step toward rebuilding myself.”

I have always been an introvert, watching more than I speak. My quiet nature often made me invisible, but my eyes carry the weight of experiences many cannot imagine. I am Vandana.

Growing Up in a Temple

After losing my parents as a child, my grandmother became my only home. With nowhere else to go, we took shelter in a temple. For years, that temple was my world. But life had other plans. The day I got my first period, my grandmother realised we could no longer stay there. A young woman living in a temple was not something society would accept. In desperation, she arranged my marriage.

A Marriage that Never Started

At 15, I was married in the same temple that had sheltered me. My husband promised to return for me soon, but he never did. I waited days turning into weeks, weeks into years. My grandmother watched helplessly. It all took its toll on her, and she passed away, leaving me completely alone.

Homeless in Mumbai

With no place to belong, I left Pandharpur and came to Mumbai, hoping for a fresh start. But the towering buildings and endless crowds filled me with fear. I sat at the station, starving and lost, when a kind woman offered to help. But her family did not approve of it, and soon, I was asked to leave. Alone once again, I wandered until the police found me and sent me to Living Water Mission—a place that finally felt safe.

A New Beginning

At the Living Water Mission, I saw other girls pursuing education and independence. Inspired, I completed my 12th grade with their support. Then, I was enrolled in Kshamata Unlimited (KULT) Program to learn tailoring. I had never stitched before, but I was determined. The team did more than teach me tailoring; they helped me build confidence and prepare for work.

Stitching My Future

I trained twice a week, paying close attention to every lesson. Over time, I saw changes in myself. Once hesitant, I started engaging with others, improving my stitching, and finding comfort in the safe space Kshamata provided.

Now, I create various products and contribute to completing orders with confidence. I found a community of women who support each other. Kshamata reminded me that I am capable of much more than I once believed.

I am My Strongest Support

Before this, Living Water Mission was the only home I had ever known, and stepping into the outside world felt impossible. Questions haunted me: How will I survive? Where would I go? But as I learned new skills, something shifted within me.

For the first time, I see myself as more than just someone who needed help. The fear that once held me back is fading, replaced by quiet determination. I no longer dream of just surviving; I dream of standing on my own, living life on my own terms.