My name is Nahid Hafeez* and I am from Village Lower Mohri, UC Ghari Habibullah. I was happily married and living with my in laws and two children. My husband was working in a store in Saudia Arabia. My husband fell ill and returned to Pakistan. His condition deteriorated and he lost one kidney. One day a person came in the hospital to sell one kidney. I sold my land and purchased the kidney for my husband.

Unfortunately, my husband got cancer and passed away after three months. I continued to stay with my in laws but they did not treat me well. During the earthquake, we lost everything and started living in tents. I started washing utensils in other peoples’ houses to earn money for my children. One day when my son was alone in the tent, the tent caught fire and my son burnt to death. I lost my senses and my in laws sent me to my parents’ house. They kept my daughter and did not let me meet her.

My father used to sell sweet meat (meethai) to earn a living for his wife and seven daughters. The loss of losing his house and shop during the earthquake and my return from my in laws house was too much for him and he became paralyzed. He also lost his eye sight and was unable to earn money to support his wife and daughters. I started working as a maid at other peoples’ houses to support my family.

My community organization recommended my name for cash grant support to the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). They came to my house for verification and then gave me money to start a general store. Now I am running the shop and earning money to support my family. My income has increased and I have become independent. My heart still aches for my son but I have not lost hope.

‘Undefeated Woman’ is a good name for my story as I faced a lot of difficulties in life but never lost courage and hope.

*Name changed to protect the person's identity.