| Fighting Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking and Slavery with Social Enterprise

Kindergarten in the Red Light District

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 06:32

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.

The Reality of My Dreams

Submitted by Paul on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 18:23

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.

Holi... survivor style!

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Mon, 03/01/2010 - 16:08

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.

Dental Hygiene... a Sore Spot for our Survivors

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Sun, 02/21/2010 - 13:27

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.

Volunteers connect with Kolkata's trafficking survivors

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 04:32

Last week, a group of 8 volunteers from America came to Kolkata. They were from around the US, but had been preparing for this trip for months. The youngest of the group, a senior in highschool, fundraised enough money to pay for the entire trip and to make a donation to our Destiny center! Talk about motivation!

Sunny Sunderbans fight Trafficking

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Wed, 02/03/2010 - 04:11

This summer, Smarita and I had the privilege of coming to know a small NGO working in the Sunderbans, called Gosaba Anwesha. The Sunderbans is a mangrove forest, mostly island district, in southeast West Bengal. Many of the islands border Bangladesh, and because it is such a porous geography it is easy for traffickers to bring women from Bangladesh into India. Also, many young women are trafficked from the Sunderbans into Kolkata or another big city, because their homeland is extremely poor. Most people there rely on the rice patty crop, which only yields one crop per year.

Third Times a Charm...

Submitted by Paul on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 02:12

In a few days I'm headed back to India and I find myself bursting at the seams with that anxious anticipation that always precedes something exciting and challenging. Getting there and getting re acclimated to the rhythm of Kolkata is going to be tough but I'm ready for it. I'll probably be eating those words in the near future when the city inevitably starts to wear me down but for now I'm psyched, re energized and ready to take the city on.

Living the Dream

Submitted by Paul on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 23:20

The beginning of the year is always an exciting time full of fresh starts and renewed energy, but here at TEN it takes on an extra special meaning. This is the time of the year when we take a group of volunteers over to India to visit some of our projects and partners working to support survivors of trafficking; and if your lucky to be one of those volunteers you'll never be the same again.

Destiny's New Mascot

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Fri, 11/27/2009 - 19:58

A few weeks ago, I came into our office and heard what sounded like a kitten crying. But to my surprise, one of the women came downstairs carrying a puppy. He is what the Indians call a "deshi kutta" country dog or "neri kurkur" bald dog. Basically, a street dog. Apparently they had heard him crying outside and went to find him. He had been put in a box by some of the local children, who said his mother either died or abandoned him.

Gaining confidence

Submitted by Becky Bavinger on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 15:20

A few weeks ago, our new intern Adria posted a blog about our employee who was beaten and kicked out from her house. Since then, this woman has been living with me and going to work. At first, it was shocking to both me and my Spanish roommate how traumatized she was. Since she was raised in a strict Muslim family, she was totally submissive. She believed it was improper to be in the same room as Carlos, my roommate, since he is an unmarried male.

User login