Rutti’s Courage: Rebuilding a Life After Years of Hardship

Eleven years ago, Rutti immigrated to Israel on her own. Today she is 48, a mother of two, and recently divorced. Her divorce was finalized only a few months ago, and it came after years of physical and emotional abuse by her partner.

Even leaving was hard. Rutti’s Hebrew was limited, and during the divorce her husband had her sign a document she couldn’t fully understand. That signature left her with no alimony and freed him of any obligations to her or their children. From then on, Rutti fought to get through every day. She took on hard physical labour to keep a roof over her family’s heads.

Rutti never gave up on a dream: a respectable job and a dignified life in Israel.

Less than a year ago, she joined Welfare to Wellbeing, C4i’s Humanitarian Aid Project Partner. Her journey there didn’t start with résumés. It started with healing: rebuilding the self-confidence that had been taken from her, and learning that she could trust people again.

Step by step, Rutti grew stronger. Once she felt ready, she began applying for jobs. Most of those applications were turned down. Each rejection was another test of her courage, and each time Rutti chose to keep going.

She didn’t do it alone. Program staff stood beside her every single day. They met with her face to face, helped her send her résumé to a large number of employers, and spent many hours talking with her, encouraging her and reminding her of the strength she already had.

Three months ago, Rutti’s perseverance paid off. She was hired at a hospital in Tel Hashomer, where she prepares medical devices for operating rooms. Every day she plays a vital part in caring for patients.

Rutti loves her new job, and she carries the deep sense of achievement she worked so hard to earn.