Educate and Shelter Children in Red Light District

Dear Supporter,

In this new year, I can't thank you enough for the donations you have so generously provided to New Light. New Light gives hope where there was none and provides children with the opportunity to dream of a future. 

It is every child`s right to grow up in a world that is safe and secure in every aspect. Unfortunately for years, the issue of child safety and security remains a matter of lower priority in India. Recent research reveals that fifty percent of all children in India are abused either physically or sexually or both. What comes as a shock is that fifty-four percent of those are boys. These are the boys who grow to be adults with little opportunity other than be prostitutes, pimps or drug dealers. As is the case with many other social evils, the ugly head of child abuse and molestation remains covered in the shroud of denial for the longest time.

It has never been more urgent to give safe shelter in the lanes of the red light district where the mothers need to work in the evenings and sometimes all night long children are left with indifferent adults or older siblings. In most cases, the children are totally unattended.

The shelter at New Light is a place for children to be given safety and security. They are given love, food and a place to sleep without concern for their safety. The success of New Light is legendary.  The children are educated and given every chance to make it without the stigma associated with their status in the world. 

Your continuing support can make all the difference where your funds are wired directly and your wishes for your donation are honored. 

Thank you!

Dear Donor,

Thank you for your past donations. It is with your help that we are able to continue the good work at New Light in Kolkata.

Walking into the shelter is often a surprise. Children are laughing and talking and playing regardless of the stress that they experience on a daily basis. We know that children are resilient but without the help of others and consistent love, no child thrives under relentless stress. It's why we are so committed to the shelters and the homes that cater to the children of sex workers. 

The importance of creating an environment of awareness and understanding of the world around them requires them to participate in projects like the Climate Change Awareness Day. The children don't really understand the gravity of the issues but believe that they can do something little or big to make a difference.

The sidewalk outside of New Light was abuzz with children who were chalking messages of love of the earth. They walked in a climate march and felt their actions were important to show that they too are a part of the world and focus less on the struggles that are everywhere for them. 

The children are unaware of the cost of keeping them safe at New Light but they do know that they are safe and loved. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of children.

If you can donate a small amount monthly, that would mean all the difference for New Light to have some peace of mind that they will pay their bills and continue to feed these precious children. 

Thank you!

Dear Supporter,

The great quote by philosopher Margaret Mead takes it best. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it the only thing that has." 

When I take a glimpse into New Light, the NGO in Kolkata that educates and shelters children in the red light district, I can't help but think of the staff and of the founder and fearless director, Urmi Basu. This charismatic woman has managed to transform the lives of children who had nothing more to look forward to but slavery and degrading, often violent life paths. When you go to New Light, its a matter of understanding the inevitable path these children who have taken if not for Urmi. Helping the oppressed is Urmi's calling and she does it in a way that instills confidence in children who saw no future but to become prostitutes, pimps or drug dealers. Now when you ask children what they want to be when they grow up their eyes light up and they say, a policeman, a chef, and one bright boy with the aptitude to go into engineering. Not one child in the care of New Light has gone back to the streets because of Urmi. So, indeed, we see time and time again we shouldn't underestimate the power of a single individual or a small group of people to change the world. 

Recently, Windsor Johnston from NPR visited New Light through Village Volunteers and was able to capture the essence of New Light. Windsor went on to win several radio awards for her work at New  Have a listen. Light. https://www.npr.org/2018/11/23/670373258/calcutta-woman-helps-children-of-sex-workers-break-the-cycle

Thank you!

Dear Doner,

Last year we saw the children thrive at the shelter. With the issues that plague the red light district children, New Light has once again provided a year of growth and healing for the children of sex workers, pimps and drug dealers. To be at the shelter, you have to remind yourself that these happy and busy children live in a red light district and are aware of all that goes on around them.

After they are in the care of New Light, they are educated and nurtured to never fall to the pit of despair around them. They love their mothers and their mother's love them enough to want them to have a better life than they have. Its only because of the donations that come in that the children are educated, provided with nutritious meals, healthcare, and a nurturing environment. Even when they graduate from high school, they are often placed in vocational schools or college to become all that they can become. 

This would never happen without you and the other generous donors. We can't thank you enough for your continuing support to stop the cycle of abuse.

Warmest regards to you and yours,