BreaktheTide transferred the final installment of $1,000 to Daya. With the final installment of the funding, Daya bought laptops and distributed them to its clients.

The recipients of the laptops shared their appreciation in testimonials and some of these testimonials are available in Status Update Section.

Interim Update as of September 27, 2022

BreaktheTide transferred $1,000 to Daya. This is 50% of the overall funding commitment.

Daya used the initial funding to increase technology access to its clients, all South Asian survivors of domestic violence by providing them laptops. Daya purchased 6 laptops for its clients who are re-entering the workforce or educational programs.

Research shows that the vast majority of survivors experience financial control as part of the abuse they face. Using threats and violence, abusers do not allow their spouses to work, manage money, or reach out for help by restricting their access to the internet.

Final Update as of August 18, 2023

To respect the privacy of the Daya’s clients and laptop recipients, we did not show their pictures or their names, only initials are provided.

Testimonial of the laptop recipients:

I am a PhD student and received the laptop donation from Daya through Break the Tide’s funding. I was borrowing a laptop from my school and I did not have any funds to purchase my own laptop. The borrowed laptop through the school was for a limited time and sometimes there are fees to extend borrowing time from the school. When I went to Daya to get a laptop, I thought it would be borrowed! My Daya Advocate told me about Break the Tide and how many people donated to raise money for many clients like me to receive our own laptops. I was so grateful and touched to know that strangers were willing to donate so that I could further my education. I felt relief and free from barriers and time restrictions from following the restrictions of the borrowed laptop from school. I’m so grateful for Break the Tide and thankful that I’m able to continue my studies. ~F.I.

When I moved into my new apartment I had nothing but my clothes and phone with me because of the abuse I experienced from my husband. I was physically, emotionally, and financially abused for years, making sure I relied on him for everything. When I moved into the apartment, it was difficult trying to apply for jobs on my phone. I could not attend Zoom meetings or interviews easily. My Advocate at Daya told me that they were able to give me my own laptop because people in our community donated money to purchase many laptops for people who were starting over from scratch. The laptop made it much easier and this month I got a job. Thank you, Break the Tide, for the laptop that has helped me become more financially independent and confident. I felt alone when I fled and now I feel the support of all the donors from Break the Tide. ~S.T.

I am so grateful for Break the Tide’s help for me and my daughters. My advocate knew I was working hard on finding a job but it was so difficult to look and apply on my phone and I was left with no money after leaving my husband to make a better life for my daughters. Getting this laptop has made it so much easier to apply for more jobs and faster. Because of his abuse to me and lying about my green card, Daya helped me get a green card and work permit and now I can also get food stamps. It was very helpful to learn and apply for government’s help on the laptop. I would have had to rely on my advocate more if I did not have the laptop. Thank you to Break the Tide and all the people who donated to the laptop program. I feel so blessed. ~A.C

Getting the laptop from Break the Tide has helped me so much! I was never allowed to get a driver’s license when married, so I am having to rely on public transportation to attend my college classes. I would end up spending hours every week traveling to the library to use their computers each week, but now I can work at home and save hundreds of dollars that had previously gone towards childcare. Break the Tide helped bring more peace and stability into my life. I learned from Daya that many people donated to Break the Tide and this money was used to buy laptops for many victims. I am very thankful to Break the Tide and I want the people who donated to know that their donations helped me spend more time with my child and continue my education. It is a blessing! ~L.P.

Interim Update as of September 27, 2022

Daya procured 6 laptops and all these were distributed to 6 low- income women who have successfully fled their abusive homes and are now rebuilding a life free from abuse.

Testimonial of one of the laptop recipients:

“I want to let you know that I am so thankful and appreciate all that you do and Daya all this time. The laptop that I received was such a huge blessing to me.  I was running out of time and I don’t have enough money to buy even a used laptop. My lawyer had been emailing me multiple times each day to fill out the documents and email them back to him. The laptop Daya gave me helped me to finish all the documents that I needed, and I was on time. Yes, on time. I was able to submit all the required documents for my case including the paperwork for the custody of my children. I would also like to thank the donors who are really kind and willing to donate money for laptops. Your donation has helped me and my children through this difficult time. Thank you, thank you and thank you. God bless Daya and God bless us all”.

Daya

“Daya” is a Sanskrit word meaning “Compassion”

Daya was founded by a group of South Asian women in Fort Bend county, Texas, after a tragic murder-suicide incident. In the Spring of 1996, a young South Asian women living in Fort Bend county shot and killed her abusive husband of ten years, her three young children and set fire to the family home before turning the gun on herself. This tragic event made international headlines both for the extent of abuse and violence this educated and employed woman had suffered and the cultural complexities that drove her to this tragic decision. The fact that this seemingly acculturated woman kept the abuse to herself and did not seek help from any mainstream agency, spoke volumes. Immigrant communities face unique barriers when seeking help and these challenges compound in an already complex system.

Daya was founded by a small group of women, all immigrants to the United States. It is a compassionate and culturally sensitive organization for South Asian women affected by domestic and sexual violence. Daya’s methodology is to reframe domestic and sexual violence as a public health crisis that South Asian community can respond to and prevent.

Daya’s goal is to end the cycle of violence with one of equity, compassion and collective safety. Daya offers direct services, outreach, training, capacity building, and community relationships to support the South Asian community. Daya’s direct services include helpline/crisis line counseling; safety planning; accompaniment to legal and criminal justice appointments; assistance in public benefits; referrals to victim and community resources; advocacy and assistance across various systems; and licensed mental health therapy. Daya expands community awareness and education towards the goal of reaching the most vulnerable victims in the community, bridging cultural gaps between the South Asian community and mainstream providers and preventing domestic and sexual violence.