Project Pratima

Coming out of Church on a Sunday morning I saw a young woman sitting on a bench in the church garden . I could clearly see from her body language something was seriously wrong , initially I thought maybe she was a victim of domestic violence or a homeless woman . I went up to her and asked " Are you OK " she said yes I asked again she still replied yes , but I knew she was in a bad way . So I kept digging and then the true plight of this softly spoken woman was revealed to me and this is the story of Pratima . Many tears have flowed and my heart breaks , for so many reasons we need your kindness and heartfelt generosity to reunite Pratima with her 11 year old daughter who she hasn't seen in 12 months and funds for next year to attend 1 year of University to complete her Australian nursing qualifications , this money has to be paid up front . Approx $39,000 Pratima gets no Government assistance . My name is Michelle Minns , nee Daniel , from Port Broughton , you can verify me and who I am by asking anyone in that town .

Pratima is 26 and is from Nepal , she was married at 16 in her culture you do not have sex until you are married , so Pratima married in good faith . She had a baby girl , her husband cheated on her an ran off to America with another woman and left Pratima and her baby girl .
In Nepal it is a great disgrace to be divorced , she was shunned by society and some of her family . When I met Pratima she had all but given up hope she was cowering like a beaten dog and had lost all self esteem . In Nepal Pratima is a fully qualified Nurse , she had no future for herself and her child in Nepal as it is in their culture the male sibling is looked after by the family not the girl, so with her life's saving s , and no choice but to make a life for herself and child in Australia . She left her child back in Nepal while she continues to work and study her Australian qualifications in nursing . This is where the story gets even sadder .
Pratima flew to Australia 12 months ago , someone was meant to pick her up at the airport at 9.00 am they didn't pick her up until 4.00pm , they dropped her in an Adelaide suburb where she , had a room , no bed , no wardrobe in a house with 7 other people only one shower , one toilet . There she stayed for 5 months . She then met a girl at college , and went and lived with her this time sharing a bed with the girl , no wardrobe paying $70.00 a week . In all this time Pratima was volunteering at a Nursing Home in the hope of getting employment but to no avail, with further investigation it was revealed the facility was using her and her generosity.She applied for many jobs and had no luck so her funds and life savings had diminished. This is where my husband and I stepped in we have given her a home , food and funds to continue her college to become an Australian nurse . Pratima is excelling at her Australian studies A plus , she is a fine nurse The money is needed for Pratima 's University Fees which must be paid up front , and also to reunite her with her daughter , and Education for her daughter .( I have two daughters I can not even begin to imagine not seeing them in all that time) . Pratima has said to me many time s " Michelle I have no choice , there is no life for me and my daughter in Nepal I am doing it for my daughter " My husband and I will continue to provide a home and food for them both . From the bottom of my heart I Thank You if you could please help in anyway and May God Bless You. At the present moment she is doing her placement in Enrolled Nursing at a local Residential Care facility and word has it the residents , Drs and staff are very impressed with her . Pratima will be an asset to Australia she is so beautiful and kind , And will make a wonderful nurse here one day God Willing