*Samira's story. A first-person narrative.
I am from Bangladesh. I was married, but my husband left me and our son, so I returned to my parents' home. We were very poor and found it difficult to make ends meet. One day, my son asked me for shoes and clothes; I could not afford to buy for him. I felt very sad and decided to go to Dhaka and work there. I saw a lot of people going somewhere, so I asked them where they were going. They told me that they were going to work. So I joined them. We walked for a long time and came to a place where we stayed for the night.
The next morning, a man came and told all of us to follow him. We were taken to a brick factory and told to begin work. But when I saw how difficult the work was, I told him that I wouldn't be able to do the job. He then took me to a place where a family lived. I stayed with them and they told me that my job was to sleep with men. I refused to do this job too. Fortunately, the police conducted a raid that night in the area and I was rescued. I work with Ruhamah Designs now and am able to support my mother and son in Bangladesh.
*name changed to protect identity