Rahat Bagum is the resident of village Chatter, Union Council Dharay of District Bagh AJK Pakistan. This village is also situated on the right bank of Mahal Stream. She has four children. Five years ago her husband died of cancer leaving her with the responsibility of raising three sons one daughter on her own.

MWF/HAF Team visited Rahat Bagum Shelter and interviewed her, detail of which is given below:-

Q-Tell us about your family, how many children you have, what was your husband doing?

Ans:-"I have four children, three sons and one daughter and all are of school going ages. My husband was a carpenter and working on daily wages. With very difficulty we built a mud house. I never had high hopes of life but like any other human being I always wanted a life that was worth living.”

Q- Tell us about the day when devastating flood wash out your house, what situation you have faced after this horrible happenings, what did you do for your children, have any one came forward to support you in this difficult time?

Ans:-"On July 28^th devastated flood destroyed my mud house. I can not describe what it was like.  In a moment the flooded stream washed away my house and I was standing upward there watching all this helplessly. The weather had gotten worse and like everyone else we had no choice but to stay outdoors with my family waiting for help to arrive. Army relief teams gave us a summer tent but no quilts or blankets to protect my family from the freezing cold. With the help of my small sons we erected the tent, which was nothing more than a piece of cloth and we began to live in it. It was not enough protection and we were not able to sleep. Our bodies were freezing and I did not expect us to survive in this crucial season. We spend almost a month in this tent".

Q. Now as you have constructed this shelter for your family, what are your feelings?

Ans:- “Although I’ve construct this shelter but I’m still making myself believe the reality …as you can see we are so happy and I’m praying to God for those who helped us and brought some relief to our lives .”

Q- How you foreseeing your future?

Ans:- “For me it is a complete home, nice and warm, all I want from life is food three times a day and a place that I can call my own. I and my small children feel quite safer our selves.”