Sara, 35 years, arrived at HKWS after ending her 14-year marriage. The trauma of a miscarriage caused by violence finally gave her the strength to leave.

A prominent and successful local business owner, Sara met her Australian husband while he was holidaying in Thailand. Treated like a queen, Sara married him and then boarded an aircraft farewelling family and friends to begin a wonderful new life here.

The violence began immediately. By day a highly regarded businessman, by night an alcoholic beating his wife. Sara’s husband controlled everything. Her daily cleaning job was organised through his company and her wages went directly to him.

Completely isolated and without opportunity to improve her English skills, Sara’s only communication with family back in Thailand was controlled.

Everything Sara did around the home was criticized including her masterful cooking skills.

Greeted with care and love at HKWS, Sara finally opened up to our caseworkers.

Within days of arrival, a case plan to turn around Sara’s life had been prepared, including English classes, TAFE courses and a scholarship began at Two Good* using her remarkable culinary talents.

Sara was ready to leave just before last Christmas with HKWS assisting her to  move to a convenient, comfortable transitional house. Sara remains part of the HKWS Outreach Program.

Thanks to mentoring and support, skill and dedication, Sara successfully completed her Two Good scholarship and she is now a star employee at a premier city fine dining restaurant.

*Two Good make and sell celebrity chef designed lunches.
For every lunch sold, one is donated to Domestic Violence Shelters around Australia

Sara is not her real name

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