Trusting VODW as Family Helped Me Face My Fears and Move Forward By Marlyn Franco
I found VODW at one of the hardest points in my life. As a victim of human trafficking and slavery, I needed help processing my visa, and I trusted VODW to be the one organisation that could truly help me. In an unfamiliar country with no one to lean on, VODW became something I can only describe simply and powerfully as family and friends.
I began my six months to a year in ESOL, IT, and Financial Literacy feeling excited and curious, though I admit honestly that I did not think I could still learn, a doubt shaped by everything I had survived. What I found instead surprised me, and I am thankful for it. I learned how to face my fears, how to speak English more confidently, and how to send emails and use my phone more capably through my IT class. During my sessions, I felt reconnected with myself, watched my stress ease, built confidence, grew more resilient, and felt genuinely healed, a remarkable and hard won transformation for someone carrying such a difficult past.
One phrase in particular has stayed with me, be strong and have confidence, words that speak directly to my own journey of survival and recovery. I describe my progress as moving forward, a simple phrase that carries enormous weight for someone who has had to rebuild her sense of safety from the ground up. My graduation left me feeling happy, and my gratitude toward my teachers is heartfelt, praising their patience and their gift for good conversation, our success one day part of theirs too.
My hope for the future is quietly resolute, to stay positive. As a survivor of trafficking and slavery, that hope carries a depth that goes far beyond the ordinary.
My story is a powerful reminder of exactly why VODW's campaigns matter so urgently to me, the right to change employer without restriction so no worker is ever trapped again, the right to renew the ODW visa, the right to settlement, and the right to British citizenship, protections that offer not just legal status but the safety and stability I have fought so hard to reclaim.
Join Us in Supporting Migrant Domestic Workers Escaping Abuse
Migrant domestic workers who have fled abusive employment urgently need your help. They’ve left behind exploitation and are taking brave steps toward safety—but they need support for basic needs like shelter, food, clothing, and counseling.
"With your donation, we can provide immediate relief and a pathway to rebuilding lives in dignity and safety."
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us provide essentials, temporary housing, job training, and emotional support. Together, we can offer a lifeline to those starting over.
Donate today to make an impact and be a part of their journey to freedom, recovery, and empowerment.
Comments