In a society where divorce, separation, and widowhood are often met with silence or stigma, one woman from Kerala decided to change the narrative. Rafia Afi, a young content creator from Calicut, turned her own pain into purpose by launching a heartfelt retreat exclusively for women navigating life after broken relationships. With laughter, tears, and shared stories, her unique initiative is offering a safe space for healing and slowly building a powerful sisterhood in the hills of Kerala.
Kerala Woman Launches Retreat For Widows, Divorcees, And Separated Ladies
When Rafia Afi from Calicut noticed how many women around her were struggling in silence after divorce, separation, or bereavement, she decided it was time to turn that pain into something powerful. Earlier this year, she launched Break Free Stories, Kerala’s first-ever retreat specifically for widows, divorcees, and separated women. This gentle weekend getaway in nature offers healing, sisterhood, and a space to rediscover joy.
Who Is Rafia Afi?
Rafia Afi is acontent creator from Calicut, Kerala, who launched Break Free Stories, an initiative that organizes retreats for divorced, separated, or widowed women. These retreats aim to create a safe and non-judgmental space for women to heal, connect, and rediscover joy after experiencing marital separation. Her own experience with divorce and the lack of support she witnessed among other women led her to create this unique community.
Divorce Healing Camp: A Welcoming Space In Nature
The inaugural retreat took place in May 2025, when 17 women travelled from Ernakulam to the misty hills of Vagamon. They stayed in tents on a tea estate, spending two days away from routine life. There were no workshops or therapy sessions, just storytelling circles, music, treks and fireside chats, all designed to let participants reconnect and relax. Women shared moments of laughter, tears and even danced together under the open sky.
Turning Silence Into Solidarity
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What makes this retreat truly special is its non‑judgmental, organic approach. Rafia aimed to create a space where participants could speak freely without stigma. Blindfolded storytelling allowed them to open up in a deeply personal way, and many described the atmosphere as one of raw honesty and emotional release.
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Retreats Grow, Story Spreads
Rafia’s initiative resonated immediately. After the Vagamon retreat in May, the second one followed in June near Alappuzha. This time, a musician‑lawyer named Zaki J volunteered to offer informal legal guidance on divorce matters. After organising three divorce healing camps in Kerala, she will conduct 2 camps in the UAE in July 2025. Plans are underway for future retreats aimed at single mothers, entrepreneurs, and even events in the UAE.
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What Led Rafia Afi To Create Divorce Healing Camp?
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Rafia’s own experience shaped her decision to create Divorce Healing Camp: Break Free Stories. After ending her eight‑year marriage nine months ago, she faced societal pity and stigma.
Rafia Afi went through the pain of divorce herself and saw firsthand how society in Kerala often treats divorced women with stigma, silence, and judgment. It wasn’t just her story, she realised many women were going through the same loneliness and lack of support. That’s what led her to start Break Free Stories, a safe and supportive space where divorced women can come together, share their journeys, and start healing. Through this platform, she hopes to help others rebuild their lives with confidence and community.
With a background in content creation and a physics degree, she used her platform to connect with dozens of women. The retreats grew from 600+ enquiries she received after posting about the idea on Instagram
With Break Free Stories, Rafia Afi has shown that with a little courage and caring community, women can reclaim their stories with laughter, tears, and sisterhood.
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