An excerpt from the 'Stop the Traffik' book: the story of a young girl rescued by Oasis India, one of the projects I'll be working with in Bangalore. I guess it'll become too close to home very soon.
"A petite young girl with a shy but endearing smile, Roshni, twenty, is extremely hard-working and has mastered the skill of Aari work, which is a type of embroidery using colourful beads, threads and sequins.
A few years ago, her life was completely different. On being promised employment, Roshni agreed to come to Mumbai in India from her hometown in Andrha Pradesh-- but was horrified to find herself in a brothel. It was then that she realised that her relative, whom she trusted, had in fact deceived her and sold her into the flesh trade. Roshni was still an under-age girl.
When the police conducted a raid at the brothel, Roshni was rescued and sent to a home which provided care for girls until the edge of eighteen. She was tested HIV positive.
On turning 18, Roshni was sent to Purnata Bhavan (a residential care project of Oasis India, www.oasisindia.org), where she participated in the literacy programmes offered and learnt to read and write. She also became so skilled at Aari work that she is now able to teach others. Roshni would soon be doing an advanced course in Aari work before she could start working."
"A petite young girl with a shy but endearing smile, Roshni, twenty, is extremely hard-working and has mastered the skill of Aari work, which is a type of embroidery using colourful beads, threads and sequins.
A few years ago, her life was completely different. On being promised employment, Roshni agreed to come to Mumbai in India from her hometown in Andrha Pradesh-- but was horrified to find herself in a brothel. It was then that she realised that her relative, whom she trusted, had in fact deceived her and sold her into the flesh trade. Roshni was still an under-age girl.
When the police conducted a raid at the brothel, Roshni was rescued and sent to a home which provided care for girls until the edge of eighteen. She was tested HIV positive.
On turning 18, Roshni was sent to Purnata Bhavan (a residential care project of Oasis India, www.oasisindia.org), where she participated in the literacy programmes offered and learnt to read and write. She also became so skilled at Aari work that she is now able to teach others. Roshni would soon be doing an advanced course in Aari work before she could start working."