Seema Bibi used to beg in Dharmatala street. Her husband was an alcoholic and would beat her. Her sisters were bar dancers and her life was full of misery and despair. She came to Lotus Rescue at the age of 14 with her first child Shabana, because with free education we were giving food. In the following year she gave birth to Sabina. Seema never gave up hope. She held her grounds with our support. Today her eldest child - Shabana - is studying in Indira Pathshala (project under the wings of Calcutta Girls High School). Sabina comes to school. Seema has become a cleaner for Lotus Rescue and gets a salary. Her husband works in a garage and drops the daughter to school. Seema is continuing to study and she loves to sing. This is a big victory! The dynamics of the whole family changed. We are truly happy and grateful.

This is Poki, our cook. She was born in Midnapore District, but because she was dark, her biological mother rejected her completely. Her father remarried and her step mother would beat her violently. She had to sleep in the cowshed. A distant relative decided to adopt her and took her to Kolkata, trying to get her into the prostitution business, but Poki was too frail. So she worked as domestic help from the age of five. Her owners would make her work, mistreat her, and gave her salary to her aunt. She ran away and became a beggar, sleeping on the streets of Moulali. Till an associate of Lotus Rescue saw her, brought her home and asked the family if they would co-operate in rescuing her. The family agreed and they adopted her. Ever since that day, her life has changed. Her smile can change your whole perspective on life. We are so proud to have Poki in our Lotus Rescue family.