Team India 2010

These reports are the blog post of the volunteers and TEN members, some in the US and others traveling and working with us abroad. Please

Subscribe in a reader

or Subscribe to Team India 2010 by Email - or come back often to check on their recent reports.

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.

What's My Kid Got to Do With It?

Submitted by Janell Hofmann on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 04:53

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.

Perfect Balance

Submitted by Janell Hofmann on Sat, 02/27/2010 - 21:25

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.

India Site Visits and Volunteer Trip, Jan. 2010

Submitted by Sarah Symons on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 17:25

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 Few Final Reflections

Submitted by Victoria Hougham on Sun, 02/21/2010 - 15:22

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.

Tea From The Top of My Soapbox

Submitted by Janell Hofmann on Sat, 02/20/2010 - 15:01

Hi Everyone

So my jet lag has passed. I've had a date night with my husband - Misaki sushi! I've planned a night out with friends. I've enjoyed winter school vacation with my family and several hours of afternoon cuddling with my babies. And while I'd love to extend the doting and atta-girls from friends and loved ones, I'm ready to publicly admit that I'm "back in action" after my seventeen day trip to India. And lucky for me, part of that action is keeping up with this blog as requested by TEN founders, John and Sarah. An opportunity to regularly share my perspective - that of an everyday, suburban mother of five, household executive, modern day abolishionist, women's rights activist, writer of the divine in the ordinary, community leader and life loving student of the journey. And while I'm lovin' how all thisl sounds on paper, please note life's never as easy as I say it is. Motherhood, womanhood, and freedom fighting is all pretty humbling work, so we just gotta start somewhere. Right here is as good a place as any...

Where Do We Go From Here?

Submitted by Janell Hofmann on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 11:53

Hi Everyone
I've arrived home safely from Kolkata and it's great to back with my family. But I wanted to do a final blog with some final thoughts on the trip and openly process the road ahead and how we all can contribute to making change for the girls and young women that I"ve met. Additionally, I just want to express how truly grateful I am to all that rallied around my family to make this trip possible. To those that donated so that I could travel with TEN, made a meal for my family, took the kids for a playdate, called to check in, sent me letters and emails of prayers and support, and anyone that has decided to open their hearts and minds to the cause, I love you. I know it's hard to understand, but this trip was a dream come true. And it truly took a village to make it happen. Thank you.

The Company I'm Keeping

Submitted by Janell Hofmann on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 05:52

Hi Everyone

After just returning from our heavenly weekend holiday in Darjeeling, I'm feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work. We watched the sunrise across the Himalayas, toured Tibetan Monestaries, had roadside tea in Nepal, and toured a breathtaking, 1,000 acre tea garden. It was wonderful to have some down time, be a tourist, and linger over fresh pasteries and endless pots of Darjeeling teas in a cooler, cleaner enviornment.

Two Nights in Kathmandu

Submitted by EricSullivan on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 18:31

If you’re old enough to be alive during the 1980s and groove to the eclectic tunes of that decade, you’ve probably heard Murray Head’s smash pop hit One Night in Bangkok and its unmistakable lyrics…“

Up, Down, and back Up again.

Submitted by Tammy McDevitt on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 13:41

Okay, since my last posting I have had a heat rash, swollen joints, and a fairly bad case of diarhhea. Ya, I know, not pretty. But, after a much needed 12+ hours of rest, and a bathroom, I was slowly back on track. I did discover one thing though, that I was never going to eat Indian food again....which was kind of tricky, since I still had 9 days left in the country. Fortunately, though, we were hours away from our much anticipated side trip to Darjeeling, the tea capital of India, near the Nepal border, where I assumed more western style food, as well as a more Asi

Team India 2010

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

User login