The graduation ceremony was a celebration of resilience, but one face particularly stood out: Maariya*, a teenager whose bright smile and vibrant dancing belied the horrors she had endured.

It all started over an argument with her mother. She decided to run away although only 13 years old. She arrived at the train station some distance from her home with little of a plan—only the desire to escape. An older girl approached her and warned that the station wasn’t a safe place, as dangerous men frequented the area and could kidnap her. She introduced herself as Badra* and suggested they rent a house together.

Together they took the train to a town about an hour away. Badra* brought her to an apartment and promised to return shortly. When Badra* didn’t come back, Maariya* decided to return to the train station. Instead, she found herself locked in a room with the keys hidden away. Her hosts offered her food, but she was terrified they would poison her.

She soon realized she was imprisoned with other girls. They were beaten and abused. They were shown films of girls being murdered and constantly warned that the same would happen to them if they tried to escape. The smallest disobedience could lead to a heated metal spatula being held up to their faces or feet, causing painful burns.

Confident they had intimidated her enough to prevent her escape, Maariya* was sent on a small errand to a nearby shop. She decided to make a run for it. Unfortunately, the people she encountered only returned her to her captors.

After 15 days, Badra* reappeared with a plan to traffic Maariya* to India for 7 lakh taka (just under $6,000). When Maariya* was sent to the roof to bring in laundry, she realized it was her last chance. She escaped to a nearby home and found a woman willing to hide her and call her mother and the police. Maariya* was able to lead the police to the house, where they not only found the traffickers but also drugs and weapons. They were able to rescue another young girl, and most of the traffickers were arrested.

Several months later, Maariya* was able to join our training and rehabilitation program, funded through our non-profit affiliate, Friends of Basha.

This program provided her with crucial life skills:

• Emotional healing: She learned anger management and forgiveness, which helped her rebuild her relationship with her mother.
• Prevention and awareness: She gained knowledge about trafficking risks and how to protect herself and others.
• Health education: She received information about the physical and mental health consequences of trauma and how to seek help.

She learned about giving and receiving forgiveness, which has aided Maariya* in her journey toward a healthy life and in forming strong bonds with her family.

“I always had a bad temper,” Maariya* shared, “but now I know how to manage my anger and be patient.” Her dream? To become a nurse and help others as she was helped.

Basha Boutique, through its partnership with Friends of Basha, is committed to empowering women like Maariya*. By funding vital training programs, Friends of Basha provides a pathway to healing, independence, and a brighter future.

Maariya’s* story is a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of brands like Basha Boutique. Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.

*Pseudonym