Women. International Women's Day. Women's History Month. It's all about the women in March. Have you noticed? I get all excited at the prospect of women gathering to honor their lineage, their history, families, mentors, neighbors, co-workers, leaders, friends, global sisters, and themselves. On March 4th, I honored International Women's Day, by enjoying dinner with my mother followed by Half the Sky Live. This film highlighted stories from the book Half the Sky, which is all about global women's oppression turned to opportunity, written by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn.

 Last week I had to go to the Kidderpore red light district to deliver a donation of toothbrushes and toothpaste. I've been many times to the drop-in-center, but always in the afternoon because most of the children are in school until 2pm. But that day I reached at 10am and saw for the first time the "day creche" for children under 5 years. It was literally a garden of kinder! They were all seated on a mat, writing the English alphabet on their mini-blackboards, some with their tongues hanging out in concentration. I was thoroughly impressed by how well-behaved they were.

Today was one of those days where I just wanna take hold of Kolkata and scream at her. This is a very rough city and it gets to you after awhile, especially when it gets hot. Being that today was Saturday I really just wanted to chill out and have a nice relaxing day. Of course thats almost an impossible task to accomplish in this city. 

So, I don't really want to brag. But these days, my calendar is pretty full with speaking engagements for The Emancipation Network. I mean, I'd go as far as to say that I'm in – gasp – high demand. And so what if that demand is based almost entirely in elementary schools? As in, preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade at the Henry T Wing School in Sandwich, Massachusetts – that's right - my children's elementary school. But seriously, that's not all.

With our trip to India in August fast approaching and also knowing the great need for funding right now, Shaylah and I decided to make a leap of faith and organize a fundraising event for TEN. Our "Dance For Freedom" is shaping up to be quite an amazing evening with dinner, dancing, live Big Band Jazz followed by DJ, silent auction etc.. as always, I am blown away by the out pouring of generosity and support I receive when I step out of that comfort zone and ask for help.

The last three days have been complete madness in Kolkata. Holi, the Hindu festival of lights, is celebrated throughout India and even in many Hindu communities abroad. There are many myths that contribute to the current celebration of Holi, but one of the most well known is the love play of Krishna and Radha. Lord Krishna has often been portrayed as a naughty prankster in his childhood and a lover-boy in his youth. His beloved Radha and the cowherd girls 'Gopis' in general loved him even more for his pranks and eve teasing.

I'll give it to you straight: the past few weeks have been pretty tricky. Less than a month ago, I managed to leave my family for seventeen days, travel across the world, and volunteer with The Emancipation Network right in the thick of it all – the epicenter for human trafficking and a hub of lively, beautiful sex slavery survivors and the heroes that care for them - Kolkata, India. My eyes saw it. My hands touched it. My soul felt it.

MEET OUR SURVIVORS AND INDIA STAFF - LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND HOW WE FIGHT IT:

Each year we make site visits and take a team of volunteers to work with survivors and high risk kids at our partner shelters. We assess programs, and offer therapeutic art project to kids, teens and adults, to build relationships and to learn more about their needs, hopes and dreams, so that we can provide continuing and meaningful services throughout the year.

A bad case of "travelers illness" knocked me off my feet for the entire last week in India. I have been home now for a week, and finally feel ready to post a few final reflections on the volunteer trip.

 A few days ago, a partner organization in Kolkata informed us of a dental clinic being held for NGO staff members and the women they serve. We were invited to bring the Destiny team for this dental clinic, and quickly informed our women to mark their calendars. Dental hygiene is something severely lacking in the red light areas and slums, where our women lived for much of their lives. Some have never even seen a dentist, so the thought of going was caused a bit of anxiety.