I ’ve been with Behbud since 1996. My family has never encouraged women to work. For them, a woman’s role is restricted to that of a homemaker. But from the start there was always this fire in me to help people. I just couldn’t help it. But to work, I knew I had to fulfill my duties as a wife, a mother and as a daughter-in-law first. I’ve spent nights doing housework and cooking for my family so that I had time to go to work in the communities during the day. Over time, my family began understanding my commitment to my work.
As a community worker, I talk to people to understand what they need so that I can assess how I can best be of service to them. It is tough work, shifting mindsets; to change the woman’s attitude, to get the man of the house to see things differently, to get away from their social stigmas, their misplaced pride. It requires patience, an open heart and immense compassion.
