Hawzah News Agency - (Calgary - Canada) - For one day only, Ayan Hussein is Lena. She has a young daughter, no income, and she's in an abusive relationship.

After buying diapers, winter clothes, and a month's rent, she's got less than $300 left — and faces the challenge of figuring out how to get groceries, pay off debt, and find an income to survive.

"To me, honestly it's very shocking, like it makes me realize how fortunate I am and to be honest with you, it kind of puts things in perspective. Where I should be volunteering, I should be helping out other women in my …" Hussein's voice trails off, as she starts to cry.

"You would never think, living in Canada, like, you're put in situations like this … it's overwhelming."

Hussein was one of about a dozen participants of a workshop put on by Nisa Homes in Calgary on Sunday.

The shelter has six locations across Canada, and provides a space for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Lena's story, which Hussein got to experience, is based on a real client of Nisa Homes. Hussein worked her way through the challenges of navigating the shelter system, applying for a job, and reaching safety.

Du'ah Alsoubani, who helped open Nisa Homes' Calgary location, said the shelter has almost always been full since it opened in March 2019.