Our stories
Stories of resilience, recovery and hope made possible by the generosity of people like you.
From struggle to strength: Asilika’s story
Asilika was 23, caring for her mother, raising her young son, and living on Taveuni Island in Fiji where many families survive on less than $10 a day. Life was hard for the 23-year-old - and her dreams for a better future felt out of reach.
“At Tutu I learned sewing, screen printing, handicrafts… and how to manage money. But most importantly, I learned to believe I could change my life,” she says.
Turning honey into money in the Solomons
For years, Nellie worried about how to make ends meet. Work, in the Solomons Islands, where she lives, was irregular. Her family often struggled to cover the basics. That changed when she joined a programme run through a Caritas partner organisation.
“This project is the answer I’ve been looking for to pay my children’s school fees. The training was very practical and empowering,” she says with pride.
Hardship and loneliness in Cox’s Bazar
She fled burning villages and armed soldiers in Myanmar. But in a refugee camp hundreds of miles away, Mumtaz would face a second heartbreak, one that left her more isolated than ever.
Inside Gaza's Factory Making Prosthetic Legs
As Gazans struggle to obtain the bare necessities of life, food, drink, clothing, and a place to sleep, their survival is often determined by their personal circumstances. Life is far easier for the able-bodied.
Amputees in Gaza face life in a war zone with little treatment and less hope.
“I endured a whole year of suffering,” recalls Gaza resident Riham, a 32-year-old teacher, who lost her leg following a devastating airstrike. “I couldn’t go anywhere. I couldn’t walk. Even going to the bathroom was a struggle. I would stumble and fall,” she remembers.
Stories from Gaza: Nowhere safe to shelter
In the early days of the war, Ahmad was helping others. He supported the emergency response for Caritas in Gaza. He helped deliver aid, from food parcels to essential medicines, and found emergency shelter for those in need.
Prisoners of Hope: A story of survival
At night, Rumana often lies awake, wondering if she will ever leave.