I was born in this country to traditional Bangladeshi parents who were very traditional. After I left secondary school I got married so for a long time I was not in education.
As my kids got older, I started making up stories to tell them at bedtime. I really enjoy creating new characters with my imagination. Everyone told me what a good storyteller I was so I started writing a teen novel in secret. I was too shy to tell anyone.
I came to Heba in International Women’s Week 2011 for a creative writing workshop. There, I told Anne about my book. She loved it and said I should carry on with it. I started English Level 2 classes and now I volunteer in the office too. I gain confidence at Heba because I realise there are women at Heba, some of them in a far worse situation than me.
I know I will finish my novel soon. I feel I can achieve anything.