A New Shelter for Sex-trafficking Victims in India

It is two and a half months since we were asked to vacate our shelters. The last few weeks were of nightmarish struggles and humiliation. Getting another rented space to shelter trafficked victims became virtually a impossible mission. It was as if we were the prime polluters in the city. I cannot recount the humiliation of being rejected again and again. So we decided to buy some land and construct our own place. Tall order as we did not have the purchasing power. Then began the struggle to raise resources to buy land. The deadly combination of recession and election in India destroyed all chances of fundraising. But the whole Prajwala family came on the road to raise funds. For the first time staff and children went on a bucket collection to raise resources to buy land. The interesting fact was those we expected to support did not even lift a finger but help came from totally unexpected quarters. In fact some persons whom we thought were the friends of the cause went up to the extent of advising me to hand over the children to the government as I should not be taking so much of risk for 'these kind of children'. Well it was not all darkness all the time...miraculous support flowed from unexpected sources...human beings who heard about us passingly or had read about us long time back. We were able to raise over 40 lakh ruppees(USD 80,000) in two months time. Yesterday finally we have purchased 10 acres of land, 60 kms from Hyderabad a place called Amangal. I know the struggle is just began..long way to go, before we construct and shift to the new place.Infact we need to raise atleast 3 crore rupees which is about 400,000 USD for the construction. But at this junction I would like to thank all our friends,partners and well wishers who have stood by us in this moment of crises. I am sure with all your wishes and prayers we will cross many more hurdles. Thanks for sustaining my faith in my mission. Warm rgds Dr Sunitha Krishnan