"Today we have a choice. We can despair that exploitation is an age-old problem, that human nature never changes-- and then do nothing. or can you feel determined to be part of the generation that exposes trafficking and brings it to its knees. You can act."
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FINALLY. I'm going. Flight to Heathrow, flight to Mumbai, LOTS OF SLEEP: that's how the next 48 hours is going to pan out. Apparently I'll have wifi in Mumbai for a bit, so I might have a chance to update this, but I kind of doubt it. I'll be handwriting all my blog updates though, and posting them here once I get back, hopefully with photos and other stuff more interesting than my ramblings. Best way to follow me in the meantime is probably Twitter: @chrissirvine.
See you on the other side guys! The video shows what a rescue operation looks like from Oasis India's side. I'll be working with Oasis when I'm in Bangalore, specifically finding out more about this kind of rescue and prevention work. It scares me a bit that this kind of stuff, I want to be involved in it long term. Watching other people in other countries do these courageous things-- it seems very far away. But there are anti-trafficking action groups here in Glasgow. And I feel I really need to be part of them.
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." |