Mai’s Story
Mai, a woman in her 30s, has faced severe gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual abuse from an early age. Her experiences shattered her sense of self-worth and eroded her boundaries, leaving lasting emotional scars. Despite these hardships, she worked tirelessly to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, hoping to care for others just as she longed to be cared for. Sadly, the pressure of her clinical placement, compounded by family demands and the weight of her trauma, forced her to abandon her studies just weeks before graduation.
After leaving her studies, Mai’s life took a painful turn. She endured further exploitation, trafficking, and psychological manipulation. To survive, she often neglected her own needs, believing she was worthless without financial stability. She struggled with self-harm and frequent suicidal thoughts, feeling ashamed and unable to accept herself. Her journey became one of survival, prioritising others over herself, while her trauma symptoms intensified.
Through Hagar’s Whole Journey (TWJ) program, Mai received comprehensive support to help rebuild her life. She was provided with psychological counselling, safe housing, healthcare, and education. Initially, her most basic needs—such as accommodation and nutrition—were met, giving her a safe foundation to start focusing on self-care and healing.
Hagar empowered Mai by referring her to a vocational training program in baking, where she not only learned a new skill but also developed healthy coping mechanisms in the workplace. With the help of case management, she gained assertiveness, learned to set boundaries, and developed skills in sexual violence prevention.
Counselling played a crucial role in Mai’s transformation. She gained insight into the psychological mechanisms she had developed to survive abusive relationships, such as compliance, and learned to replace them with healthier behaviours. She began to forgive herself, appreciate her past, and recognise her inner strength. Small, meaningful activities—like watching a pumpkin grow in her garden or enjoying the process of cooking—brought her unexpected joy. While she still experienced moments of sadness and anxiety, Mai was equipped with the tools and skills to manage these feelings.
Reflecting on her journey, Mai says, “I used to hate myself and blame me for bad things in my life. My journey with Hagar was the one where I gathered my broken pieces. Some of the pieces are beautiful, some are lovely, some might need a little extra color. As I carefully crafted and shaped each fragment, I came to the realization that each and every one of them, unique and special, has contributed to a beautiful whole and is worthy of pride.”
Mai now embraces the simple joys in life and continues to heal. She is no longer defined by her past trauma but by her resilience, inner strength, and newfound sense of self-worth.
*Mai’s name has been changed to protect her identity
