Article taken from www.freesetglobal.com
Balika sends a special message to people around the world who are friends and supporters of Freeset: “Now that I have this work with Freeset, there is a better future for me and my family.”
Balika lives in a village not far from Freeset Fabrics, having moved from the village where she grew up when she was married at the age of 13. Until recently, she had no choice in her life, which was full of struggle and pain. Her father was a farm labourer and her mother looked after the family. She had an older brother, but he died when he was 10 or 12 years old. Balika’s marriage was arranged by her family with a man who was almost twice her age and also a farm labourer. His work was irregular and seasonal – so his income was sporadic. She had no idea what to expect as such a young bride, so she just endured it when she found he was a drinker. He did not treat her well, and often beat her. By the time she was 15, she gave birth to a son (now aged 10) and three years later her daughter was born (now aged 7). With irregular income, her husband’s preference for alcohol and lack of care for his family, Balika and the children were often hungry, mostly sharing just one meal a day. There was little if any joy in her life…
Read on to see how life for Balika changed once she was employed by Freeset Fabrics at http://www.freesetglobal.com/balikas-story-her-journey-to-freedom-with-freeset/