For as long as I can remember, I had been alone and growing up an orphan, didn’t really know who my parents or family were. Not only did I grow up with a strong feeling of abandonment, I had developed anxiety, which then became fuel for depression. After reaching adulthood, I moved to Canada to study and start my career. Once I was settled, I found someone to spend the rest of my life with, someone who would never abandon me.
Things went sideways only a few months into our marriage. His behaviour became weird, always hiding his phone and leaving the home at odd hours, which led me to suspect him of cheating. I had no proof, so I didn’t investigate any further.
One day, I received a call from a woman who claimed to be my husband’s wife, with whom he had a family. Digging more into this, I was horrified to find that he was married to six other women!
I was so hurt, with feelings of worthlessness and abandonment washing over me. I moved out immediately, finding a room for rent with an older couple with a teenage daughter. On top of that, I found out that I was pregnant. High stress and anxiety led my baby to be born three months early.
When I first moved in to Nisa Homes, I was overcome with depression. After all my dedication and hard work, I never thought I would end up in a shelter. For a couple of days, I kept to myself – not talking to anyone or eating. I could not stop crying for a week straight.
After my baby and I returned to our rented room a month after his birth, the couple wanted us to leave because they didn’t like hearing the baby crying. I tried to compromise but they wouldn’t hear of it – they called the police to forcefully evict me.
I had nowhere to go so I moved in with a friend, who also hinted that I should look for my own place after two weeks with her.
I felt suffocated and heartbroken. No one in the world wanted me or wanted to help me. Depression engulfed me. If it hadn’t been for my child, I don’t know if I would have made it through. He was the only thing that gave me the strength to keep going.
After mustering up courage, I called a local social service agency who then referred me to Nisa Homes. When I called them, I was pleasantly surprised by the speed at which they responded and give me the help that I needed.
When I first moved in to Nisa Homes, I was overcome with depression. After all my dedication and hard work, I never thought I would end up in a shelter. For a couple of days, I kept to myself – not talking to anyone or eating. I could not stop crying for a week straight.
Gradually, however, I started to open up and became friends with the other residents. Their consistent kindness and the overwhelming support of the staff allowed me to feel safe. And for the first time in my life, I felt loved and cared for. I started cooking and eating again and I find myself laughing more and more now, experiencing less anxiety daily.
Spending time at Nisa Homes has given me hope of what Allah has planned for me and my baby in the months to come.
This story is based on a real Nisa Homes’ client. However, details and names have been changed to protect identities of all involved.
