Losing her father to cancer at the age of 10, Santosh little knew that fate would serve her more blows along her way. Her life thereafter is one of courage and determination. What follows will disturb you and at the end leave you with the hope that despite all the bad cards that life deals you, it is up to you to make your own destiny.

Santosh is now 29 and led a hard, violent and abusive childhood in very poor surroundings. She was married off at the age of 16, more than 13 years ago. Her mother worked a casual labourer in Devli, Sangam Vihar in an export firm.

Three years ago, life dealt her another blow in the form of death of her husband, leaving her to tend to 3 small kids. To add to her misery, her daughter who was only 6 at that time was abducted and brutally raped, suffering serious injuries. Besides the physical scars the tender child suffered severe post traumatic distress, remaining disoriented.

With the interventions, support, and assistance provided by KHUSHII, the girl has shown signs of recovery and there is constant improvement in her behaviour and response.

Along with that, KHUSHII has also provided a stable employment opportunity to Santosh. She was provided with moral and financial support. KHUSHII helped Santosh with a job opportunity and she is working as a caretaker at the Khushii Shikshaantra School, Devli. Khushii assisted her with counseling and education as well.

Not the one to give up, Santosh told us she would like to continue with her studies, and with the help of KHUSHII, she got admitted in NIOS last year and passed out of Class VIII.

Last year she enrolled for Class X. Ever since her confidence level has increased and she wants to continue her studies to give a better life to her family.

This is a story of triumph against great odds and once again, KHUSHII rose to the occasion to lend a helping hand and resurrect a shattered life. Sometimes truth is indeed stranger than fiction!