With the opening up of markets and globalisation, children are being ‘exported’ across continents from, into and through India. India is a source, transit and destination country – which means India not only ‘supplies’ children, the country also receives them. In the name of rescue operations, children are mopped up from different locations by both government and NGOs. These children either find themselves in badly managed institutions, are ‘sent’ back with little or no follow up or rehabilitation to their families that are often not ready to have them back. So, many simply return to, sometimes, even more exploitative situations.
To help these children, our Foundation has funded 9 anti-child trafficking projects working tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate and provide an education to these young victims.
APSA
Through our support, The Association for Promoting of Social Action (APSA) currently shelters 32 rescued girls aged between 15-19 at the Surakhsha centre. APSA also intervenes in government run homes to ensure that more than 100 rescued, abandoned children receive good quality education, psychosocial help, legal aid and therapy.
STOP
With our support, STOP provides safe shelter, education, health and skills training to 150 girls who are survivors of trafficking. More than 30 rescued girls are in various stages of their education. The organisation provides life-skills, communication skills, self-defense training and counselling to the survivors, and ensures that they have and maintain robust health.
JAGRUTHI
For over 13 years, Bangalore-based Jagruthi has been providing love, shelter, treatment and care for children who have suffered sexual exploitation or whose parents have died of HIV Aids. With the Foundation’s support, 218 women and children infected or affected by HIV received rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities to better their lives.
EVERY 8 MINUTES
Every 8 Minutes is the first campaign of its kind that aims to stop child trafficking. The campaign works with anti child trafficking partners across India to end this modern day slavery. From prevention, to rescue, to healing – the slow journey towards bringing the spark and life back into these children’s eyes begins.
CATC
The Campaign against Child Trafficking (CACT) has chapters in 13 states across the country. The members of the campaign work in the source as well as destination areas of trafficking to create awareness and undertake the rescue of trafficked children. The campaign’s advocacy initiatives have brought some significant changes in the government’s policies.
SAMRAKSHA
Samraksha works to protect and support one of the most marginalised populations– children and women infected & affected by HIV. Our support empowered more than 100 HIV+ women to come together to form an active social support network and 28 adolescent girls were trained to develop life skills.
Sathi
SATHI in New Delhi works with young runaway boys and girls. Our support enabled the protection and care of over 500 children living at the New Delhi Railway Station. 165 were brought to a safe shelter home, where they received much needed guidance and counseling. They were re-integrated with their parents wherever possible.
Suprava
Suprava in Murshidabad, West Bengal has been working with children living in the red-light areas near the Indo- Bangla border – a local hub of prostitution and trafficking. Suprava works to prevent second- generation prostitution. With our support, more than 170 children have received social and psychological care and support.
Child Rights Goa
Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG) is run by volunteers – people committed to making Goa a safe zone for children. It functions as an education centre and a place where children can take refuge. CRG works with up to 2,000 children every year. With our support, CRG has worked with the community by spreading awareness of child rights amongst children and different stakeholders.