A Surrogate Story

Manisha Macwan began to work as a housemaid after she lost her husband to cancer. For six years she kept at the job earning a paltry Rs.2000 (£29) until she found her new job-surrogacy.  As she awaits a new couple to commission yet another surrogacy, Manisha, for the moment, is all set to start a new career- as a receptionist at a hospital desk.  “I can’t go back to being a housemaid. I can’t even clean my own house any longer”, she jokes.  

Veena Solanki is seven months pregnant. After her sister carried a boy for an American couple she decided to take the plunge into surrogacy. Even with two months to go to deliver the baby she is carrying, Veena says she can’t help but contemplate undertaking yet another surrogacy. Her husband is a daily wage labourer and surrogacy is the only financial reprise the family has.
Listen to these women’s stories in their words: