Myra, human trafficking survivor

Myra began working at 4 years old to help feed the family. Her stepfather sexually violated her, and her mother did nothing to intervene. Despite having never left her village before, she accepted a job offer to earn US$600 a month working in Singapore as a young adult.

Upon arrival, she was taken to a house filled with scantily clad women entertaining customers. The 'boss madam' confiscated her documents and mobile phone when she arrived, and ordered her to start servicing clients. Myra refused, and was starved and beaten for days; she finally gave in when they threatened to kill her mother and sisters.

A police raid freed her from captivity and brought her to Hagar Singapore.

Initially a broken woman, Myra slowly regained hope for life through the persistent love and care from HAGAR counsellors, social workers, doctors, and teachers.

Formerly illiterate, she overcame her fears and achieved her diploma in English and digital literacy six years later. HAGAR helped her find work under Singapore's Temporary Job Scheme for special pass holders. Myra began working full-time as an office administrator in a multinational company in November 2021. She sends a sizeable portion of her salary home for her younger sisters' education and the family's needs.

"All my life, I dreamed of working in an office. I still can't believe that I can use a computer. HAGAR made my wish come true, and I will try my best not to let them down."

The most precious result from Myra's transformation is her newfound dignity.

"I didn't respect myself because of what happened. But I've learned that I am a person of value. HAGAR helped me to love, respect and forgive people, and to help others in need."

Myra hopes to start a school for poor and vulnerable children in her village. She believes formal education is the best way to protect young girls from the lures of trafficking in Bangladesh. When you partner with HAGAR, you rebuild broken lives and help transform a generation of children so they can break the cycle of trauma and poverty.