Milena

A mother who saved her children

Sold into marriage

At the age of 13, Milena was sold by her father to another family in exchange for money. In her new home, she endured psychological, physical, economic and sexual violence.

After an unofficial marriage, she moved in with her ‘husband’ and his family, where she was exploited and deprived of basic necessities.

By the time she had turned 23, she had given birth to six children: four daughters and two sons.

Despite these difficult circumstances and the abuse, she persisted in the aggravating situation out of a sense of duty to her father and her immediate family.

Protecting her children

As her two oldest daughters grew up, she noticed that their father had already begun making arrangements and searching for suitable families to sell the girls to. It was then that she realised she had to take action to protect her children.

With unwavering courage, along with her six children she escaped to a safe house where they were given support and assistance.

Driven by her own painful past, she expressed her heartfelt wish that her children could break free from the cycle of abuse she had suffered.

Milena’s mission was clear:

to provide her children with a happy life in which they could pursue their dreams and become anything their hearts desired.