My name is Ruby Bhati, and I am writing this appeal with a trembling heart and a weary soul. I never imagined that I would one day have to lay bare the most painful parts of my life to strangers. But I have reached a point where silence can no longer protect me or my two young daughters. I am reaching out to you, not only as a mother fighting for her children’s safety and future, but as a woman who has survived unimaginable cruelty and is now struggling to rebuild her life from the ruins of that suffering.

I came to the United States in 2015 with my husband, Ajay Kumar, and our two daughters. I came here full of hope and excitement, believing that this land of opportunity would help us build a brighter future together. I came on an H4 dependent visa, tied to my husband’s H1B visa. Like so many other women who have made this journey, I trusted that my husband would be my partner and protector in this new country. But what awaited me was not the promise of a new life — it was the beginning of a nightmare that I could not have imagined.

From the very beginning of my 14-year marriage, my husband was abusive — emotionally, verbally, and physically. He would beat me over small disagreements and insult me with cruel words that gradually tore away my confidence and dignity. I tried to remain patient. I tried to believe that things would get better. I told myself that for the sake of my daughters, I should endure and keep our family together. But the abuse only worsened with time. I was isolated, controlled, and constantly afraid. I had no family here, no work authorization, and no source of income. My entire existence depended on the very man who was destroying me bit by bit.

The nightmare reached its most terrifying point in July 2022. That night is etched into my memory like a scar that will never fade. My husband beat me so violently that I suffered a fractured skull, facial contusions, and severe internal injuries. He strangled me until I blacked out and collapsed. I can still feel the terror of gasping for air and the helplessness of knowing that my life could end in that moment.

By the grace of God and the courage of my neighbor, Jean Jendusa, I survived. She heard my screams and came to my rescue, calling the police and saving my life. My husband was arrested and later charged with multiple counts of serious crimes, including a Class 2 felony. The legal process that followed was long and painful, but in August 2023, he was sentenced for his crimes. For the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope that I was out of the never-ending loop and justice was done.

But that hope was short-lived. While on probation, my husband fled the country in November 2023, violating the court’s orders and disappearing to Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He did not inform his probation officer. He abandoned us completely, leaving behind unpaid bills, debts, and threats to ruin me. I have been calling Indian authorities and writing to them continuously for the past 1 year but to no avail. Since he is affluent and has local influence, no authorities are touching him. I am physically, financially and emotionally exhausted. From India, he continues to harass and threaten me, saying he will ruin my life and make sure I am on the road. I live in constant fear — fear for my safety and for my daughters’ future.

The U.S. immigration authorities recognized my situation and granted me a victim visa, which allows me to remain in this country legally. But the visa, while it gives me a small sense of security, cannot fill the void left by the destruction of my life, the loss of financial support, and the trauma my daughters and I carry every day. The home we live in is still in my husband’s name, and since March 2024, he has stopped paying the mortgage and utilities and has repeatedly denied transferring it to my name, he always says he would rather let it go to foreclosure than give it to us. I am facing the possibility of losing the only shelter we have.

My daughters are still very young. They deserve a life free from fear, free from trauma and shadows of abuse. I am doing everything in my power to provide for them, but it feels like fighting an endless battle alone. Unfortunately, the financial burden has already become overwhelming. My credit card debt is climbing every day, and presently with no income and no other support, I am stuck in the cycles of hope and despair day and night. 

I have reached out to many organizations – local and India - for help, including the National Commission for Women in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Chicago, hoping they would bring my husband to justice or at least help ensure that he fulfills his financial responsibilities. But my pleas have gone unanswered. The calls and emails stopped being returned. It feels as though my cries for justice have vanished into silence. 

I am now standing at a crossroads — exhausted, frightened, and unsure. I do not want to give up, because my daughters depend on me. They are the only reason I keep going every day. I try to save every penny, make sure they go to school, and tell them that everything will be okay, even when I am not sure it will be. I try to smile for them, to make them feel safe, but deep inside I am terrified of what tomorrow might bring. We may become homeless.

This is a mother’s plea for compassion, solidarity, and a chance to rebuild a life. All I am asking is to help me save my home which is extremely important for the safety and stability of the family, I don't have funds to buy it at the auction sale. I need financial assistance from all the generous people to help me save the only home we have. 

My name is Ruby Bhati, and I am fighting to survive — not just for myself, but for my two little girls who still believe that their mother can make things right. Please help us find our way back to safety, stability, and peace.

 If you would like to connect or offer support, I welcome you to reach out to me at rubybhati1312@gmail.com.
Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express. If you wish to contribute, you may also do so through Link:  https://gofund.me/aa3681b92

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with me.