Rising of a New Dawn

Born into a large family, 23-year-old Areesha started working at a young age to put food on the table for her six younger sisters. She had been working in a garment factory for years but the money she was earning was not enough to support her school-going siblings. Committed to seeing her sisters through school, Areesha took up a job offered to her by her boyfriend, who was a dance instructor. She was told that she would have the opportunity to teach dance for a living. Trusting her partner, she took up the offer which would bring in at least ten times more income.

Little did Areesha know that she was being trafficked to Singapore where she was forced to provide sexual services to the customers at the dance bar. The experience was horrific and young Areesha was filled with guilt and shame even after being rescued; she could not forget the atrocities done to her.

Healing began as she started receiving trauma-informed counselling and care from HAGAR.

Areesha was also provided with many employment opportunities from HAGAR’s corporate partners and has been working under the Temporary Job Scheme for the past 4 years. Knowing Areesha’s dream to work in an office, the team worked with our volunteers to equip her with literacy and digital skills. These skills have been pivotal to her current success working as an office administrator in a human resource company. Areesha’s story is truly a testimony that brings hope to survivors of human trafficking like herself!