In the narrow lanes of the Anna Nagar slum community lives Saroja, a woman whose life has been marked by hardship yet illuminated by remarkable courage. Originally from South India, she came to Delhi after her marriage twenty-five years ago, full of dreams for a peaceful and happy life.
Her husband, once a disciplined man who worked in a hotel kitchen in Bangalore, lost his way after they moved to Delhi. Surrounded by bad company, he began drinking heavily, squandering his earnings on alcohol while his family went hungry. As their home began to crumble, it was Saroja who quietly carried the burden. She took up work as a maid in several homes, earning just ₹100 a day, determined to provide for her young daughter and keep her in school.
The years that followed were filled with struggle. Her husband’s addiction deepened, and nights were often filled with anger, shouting, and tears. Yet Saroja never gave up. She worked longer hours, pushing herself through exhaustion, so her daughter could have the education and dignity she herself had been denied.
Then came the blow that broke her spirit. Her husband left home and ran away with another woman, leaving Saroja alone — heartbroken, weak, and sick. Years of stress took their toll. She was already battling diabetes and high blood pressure, and her health began to deteriorate further. After losing three teeth, eating became painful, and she slipped into deep depression. Her daughter, who struggled as a slow learner and was emotionally affected by the constant turmoil at home, grew aggressive and dropped out of school.
At a time when everything seemed lost, the Asha and Asha's Women's Group became her refuge. The women surrounded her with love, care, and compassion. Asha provided her with ration, medicines, and regular health check-ups, ensuring she received proper treatment for her ailments. Through counselling and emotional support, the team helped her rebuild her confidence and rediscover hope.
Today, though her health remains fragile, she has regained strength and a quiet sense of dignity. She is now part of Asha’s Love and Lunch programme, where she receives nutritious meals each day and, more importantly, companionship and affection. The loneliness that once consumed her has eased. She has begun doing small household tasks again and faces each day with gratitude instead of despair.
“I was broken in every way,” she says softly, “but Asha lifted me up when I had nothing left. They treated me with kindness, and that gave me the courage to live again.”
