My name is Raheela. When I arrived in Canada three years ago with my two children, I had no support system, no stability, and no sense of direction. After experiencing years of financial and emotional abuse, I felt completely drained and broken. Each day was filled with fear, and each night I worried about the future of my children and whether I could ever rebuild our lives.

In my darkest moment, when I had nowhere else to turn, Maskan became my safe place. They welcomed me and my children with compassion and dignity, offering us not just shelter but a sense of safety, respect, and hope. For the first time in a long time, we felt protected and cared for. Maskan reminded me that I was not weak; I still had the strength to rise again.

While staying at the shelter, I was supported every step of the way. The team helped me access essential resources and guided me through important processes that I could not manage alone. I enrolled in computer and language classes, which helped me rebuild my confidence, learn new skills, and begin to see possibilities for my future again.

Today, my life has transformed. I actively volunteer with different organizations and have started my own small home-based food business, which represents both independence and hope. What began as survival has now become a journey of purpose.

Maskan did not only provide shelter-they restored my dignity, empowered me to rebuild my life, and gave my children a safer, brighter future. I will always carry forward the strength and light they gave me by supporting others in return.

- Raheela