Hana

When Hana joined International Sanctuary in February 2018, she was 20 years old with no formal education and few opportunities. Raised in poverty by her grandmother, she had relied on casual work to help support her family.

At the Sanctuary, Hana began building foundations for a different future. Through daily literacy and life skills classes, she developed her English, communication and conflict-management skills. As her confidence grew, so did her sense of responsibility. She took on leadership in production management, where she became known for coordinating tasks and maintaining accurate records.

When the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed the Sanctuary in 2020, Hana began exploring ways to create an income of her own. She opened a salon and later experimented with selling cold drinks and snacks. Not every venture succeeded, but she continued learning and adapting.

With support from business mentors, Hana eventually identified an opportunity that worked for her: selling chips, sausages and other snacks. She strengthened her business and financial management skills and began building a more sustainable source of income.

In March 2022, Hana reached an important milestone: she transitioned from the Sanctuary and began running her business independently, full-time.

Today, her business provides an income that helps support her daughter's education and meet her household needs. She has maintained her financial independence and continues to make decisions about her livelihood with greater confidence and experience.

Although she has transitioned out of the Sanctuary, Hana remains connected to the community that supported her journey, occasionally seeking guidance from staff and peers.

Hana's story demonstrates what meaningful reintegration can look like: not simply leaving a programme, but leaving with the skills, confidence and resilience to sustain a life independently.

From a young woman with limited education and few opportunities, Hana has built a livelihood that supports both herself and her daughter.

Her success is a reminder that when women are equipped with skills, opportunity and the support to keep trying, they can build futures that extend far beyond the programme itself.