MEET Maya

Meet Maya

When Maya joined our Sanctuary in Mumbai a year ago, she was easily the quietest and most shy person in our community. From what the organization that referred her to us knew, she had had a difficult past and was in a vulnerable situation as a result of parents who had abandoned her. At first, she spoke in monosyllables and just smiled when she wanted to avoid any questions or conversations.

It took intentional relationship-building to unveil the real Maya. What changed? She told us that she liked the interest we took in her as a person - wanting to know more about her, what she would like to do in the future, and how she could get there. She felt seen and heard.

Her dream was to become a teacher but for that to come to pass, she had to appear for her public exams. She began engaging with her peers - learning workplace and interpersonal skills and talked to our team about the skills she would need to grow into to become a teacher - which would include working on her personality and the ability to speak confidently.

Our monthly 'Show and Tell' was her first platform to address an audience. The first time she spoke, sharing memories of the monsoon, she received encouragement and feedback that sparked her confidence. She continued to grow. She led our morning reflections and continued to strengthen her communication skills.

Following her career goals, she enrolled in a full-time course after completing her exams, officially marking her exit out of our program this year.

We continue to stay connected with her as she perseveres and works toward her dream.

Thank you for your continued support to Maya and women like her, women that are working to claim back what was stolen from them. Women that are claiming their own futures!

Max Fernand

Executive Director

"The education classes at the Sanctuary have helped us stretch our ability to communicate, speaking to people outside the Sanctuary and boosting our confidence to participate in important sessions that might benefit us." - A woman in our Sanctuary in Uganda