Stories of starting again

Every story here is shared with consent or as it was published in the press. Where a woman’s safety matters, we change or withhold her name.

The founder unveiling a flower-garlanded name plaque on the wall of Sakkubhai’s new house as villagers watch

Seerole village, Mahabubabad

A vow to Sakkubhai Avva

On day 10 of the “We for Her” campaign, our founder was talking with villagers in Seerole when she learned about Bandari Sakkubhai. The elderly woman had been abandoned by her family, and the roof of her house had collapsed on her. She survived with minor injuries but had no way to rebuild.

Shravya gave her ₹5,000 on the spot and asked her to treat it as five months of old-age pension, and promised her a decent home within five months. Two months later the house was ready. Shravya named it Sakkubhai Nilayam and opened it with Sakkubhai herself, gifting her a sari, sharing sweets and holding a house-warming ceremony in front of the whole village. A promise to bring back her dignity, kept.

Source: We & She Foundation, We for Her campaign, 2018

Newspaper photographs of Ramesh standing with artificial legs and a walker, helped by the founder

Pochampally, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri

Ramesh walks again

Ramesh was a handloom weaver in Pochampally, famous for its ikat saris. After an accident cost him both legs, he was confined to a wheelchair and his wife became the family’s only earner, weaving to feed two children.

We & She met the family during our field work and arranged artificial legs for him. Andhra Jyothy reported the day he stood up again: “that joy was in his eyes.” Supporting a woman sometimes means supporting the family she carries.

Source: Andhra Jyothy, 3 November 2019

Volunteers caring for elderly and unwell women in their homes

Rural Telangana

A married girl who asked for a way out

On her journey, our founder met a young woman who discovered within days of her wedding that her husband was impotent. Her family forced her to stay and “make peace with her destiny.”

“This was when I wondered if there can be rehabilitation centres for women like her,” Shravya told The Hans India, “and why don’t I start one?” Her name is withheld to protect her privacy.

Source: The Hans India, 3 May 2020

Telugu newspaper photograph of the founder and police officers handing a bag of clothes to a young man

Hyderabad

A helping hand for a stranger

Joy, a young man from Sri Lanka, had been separated from his family as a child and ended up living on the footpaths of Hyderabad. When Narayanaguda police rescued him from a suicide attempt, they called We & She.

At the police station our founder gave him clothes, towels and a bag, and offered to cover his hostel fees and other needs until he could return home.

Source: Telugu daily, Himayatnagar edition

Trainees gathered around a sewing machine on the skill centre’s opening day

Ramanthapur, Hyderabad

The first batch at the skill centre

In October 2025, single women from across Ramanthapur sat down at sewing machines for the first time at our skill centre. Over three months they learn tailoring and maggam embroidery, and leave with a certificate.

We will share their stories here, in their own words, as they finish the course.

Source: We & She Foundation, 2025

Behind every story is a woman who was found

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