The burden I carried throughout my life felt heavier than my age could bear. As a child, I lost my father and grew up as an orphan. The responsibility for my family rested entirely on my shoulders, but poverty and hunger made that weight unbearable. On days when finding even a piece of bread was a struggle, the prayers I whispered before falling asleep on an empty stomach were the only thing keeping my hope alive.

One day, an unexpected gift arrived—a fishing boat. This boat was nothing short of a miracle for us. When I first laid eyes on it, I felt, for the first time in my life, that the weight on my shoulders might lighten. On our maiden voyage, I was filled with both excitement and fear. But the sea was kind to us. With the fish we caught, we not only fed ourselves but also managed to sell some, bringing home a modest income.

This was just the beginning. Over time, we were able to sustain ourselves, and our home was filled with hope and joy once again. No longer did we have to borrow from neighbors; we could stand on our own two feet. In those moments, when I realized my prayers had been answered and our lives had changed, my heart overflowed with gratitude.

We owe so much to As Just Human International Aid Association and their generous donors, who gave us this opportunity and set us on this new path. My family and I are no longer hungry, and our smiles have returned. Most importantly, we are filled with the pride of living without having to rely on others.

The sea remains the same, and the winds blow as they always have. But now, the wind carries our boat—and our lives—toward a brighter future.