Malini Caserne

The training at Gender Links has given me a new beginning. I am now living a better and happy life. I would have committed suicide if I was not followed up by Gender links. They hold my hand step by step and take me out of my difficulties. Thanks to gender link I am alive today. This entrepreneurship training gave me good ideas of how to do business. Most importantly I learned how to control myself and how to save money. I learn how to stand firm on my own. I did this training in October 2014 and completed all three phases. Every aspect of this training was useful to me.  Prior to this training, I used to suffer a lot. My husband from my second marriage beat me every day. He was extremely violent. He made his own rule, he did whatever he wanted. Getting beaten, being injured and going to the hospital were a routine for me. At that time, I knew nothing and was always submissive. I did not even work, I stayed at home. I was not aware about my rights and accepted to face violence from my husband. Today, I feel proud. My life has changed a lot. From this training, I learnt to become independent and to stand on my own. I have taken up a job. I look after two children and got paid for this. I also learnt how to use resources available to earn a living rather than to stay ideal at home. For instance, I have a jackfruit tree in my backyard and during my free time, I cut some jackfruits and sell them. As before, the fruits used to get rotten and were wasted. I feel pleased with myself. At Gender Links, I found friends and knew the bond of friendship and trust. I share my problems with them and we supports each other, as we have all faced violence in our life. I got the assistance from various organisations like Mouvement d’aide a la maternite (MAM) and CARITAS.

After years of abuse from my husband, I can now see changes in his behaviour. He no more beats me as before. Because today, I got a job; I am independent and can talk about my rights. Even if I got little pay for my job, I feel satisfy within. Unfortunately, I do not visit my family and they never supported me. Due to the training from Gender links, I feel satisfied of this change in my personal life. I used to close myself at home. I was shy and afraid.  But now, I am not afraid to go out and talk to people around me. In the society, everyone respects me and welcomes me in good manners. My dream is to see the success of the children and start up my business of selling vegetables. Gender Link has encouraged me to take up a new stand in life and to take responsibilities. It has also showed me the path to lead a happy life.