Nermeen and Josephine (2), Charisma Arts for Development (Egypt) and more art by Hala Awad

Raised in Sudan, Josephine has faced constant turmoil in her life, from her mother’s abduction to being forced into marriage by her brother. While her escape to Egypt has given her some solace, she still faces harassment, loneliness and isolation in her new home. Nermeen, born and raised in Egypt was forced to emigrate to Emirates to find work with her family in the early 2000s. Despite never feeling fully at home there, Nermeen has stayed to give her children a better life, even if that means her own loneliness at times.