Case Studies (Marni)

I live in Handikhola ward number 4. I did not go to school. My mother died 30 years ago and father died 3 years ago. We are three sisters and three brothers, one brother died. I got married to a teacher who after some time left me and married another woman. One daughter was born to me from my first husband. I felt rejected and was disappointed. People took advantage of my vulnerability and pathetic situation.

I remember the incident when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was killed at that time I was 20 years old. One local broker and four persons from the neighboring VDCs trapped me and lured me with promises of marriage and good employment in India. I remember that they give me water to drink and I lost my consciousness. When I opened my eyes I found myself in India in a big town called Mumbai where I was on the famous beach called Chaupati.  The man promised to take me to his sister’s house and he left me in the brothel. I was told that he has sold me for Rs19, 000/-. In the brothel I met one person from Saudi Arabia whose name was Zafar, who married me. He was an elderly person; he took me to Parel where I stayed with him in a hotel hilltop. He was married and had one son and daughter. One day I said to him that I am going back to Nepal for 10 days. Leaving all my belongings in the hotel I retuned to Nepal and never went back to meet him or had any communication with him.

After nine years of my return from Nepal, I met one person who was working in Varanasi in a carpet factory; I married him and stayed with him. The man I married was suffering from HIV/AIDS which I did not know and he ultimately died after giving me the disease. About six years ago I was tested for HIV/AIDS and I was declared HIV positive. Hearing this news I felt like dying. However I came to know that there are many like me who are suffering from this disease. Knowing this I felt at ease.

I was happy to be in touch with NGO ETSCN who gave me training on how to run small business, gave me two female goats and regularly give me nutrition support. I get full cooperation from the staff of ETSCN