We all go to sleep everyday with big dreams and hopes for our future and work hard to achieve some of that. Some dream of owning penthouse suites in New York and of vacations to Paris. But for others, their dreams are limited to having their stomachs fill and their hearts warm. They do not come from affluent or respected families but they very much have the zeal of bringing about a change in their mundane, impoverished conditions.
These little ambitions are often trampled upon, shredded to pieces by the cruelties of realities and the dreamers are left to struggle, to grapple with life. Such is the case of the families of the thousands of sex workers who reside in the dinginess of the cities, struggling to earn a living and give their families a better life. They lead a life of ignorance and insecurities, but their hopes and aspirations are no less important. Recently an interview by the team of Humans of Bombay brought to our notice, the stories and tribulations of two of such of the unfortunate lot (the links to which have been mentioned at the end of the article).
At a very tender age, they are exploited physically, mentally and sexually leaving them all the more vulnerable. “I was raped as well, but for 7 years I kept it within me because I thought I was dirty.” In our daily struggle we forget to give them even a proletarian status in our society. Hence the children, often with a lack of proper parental guidance and with the society’s tendencies of extreme moral policing, are left to fend for their own.
But they are much sensible because not even for a moment they consider the profession to be immoral or “dirty”. On the contrary they have a high regard for their mothers because they see the whole scenario as nothing less than any other economic transaction that the conventionally “moral” people are involved in. But the role played by social media in the recent times is commendable. “My mother is a woman of strength and I want her and all like her to know that it’s okay. Dirty are those men who force themselves on us, abuse us and walk away.”- Says one girl.
Starting from awareness to raising money, they are doing everything to help and quite selflessly at that. You can also do your bit by donating something to them. Here is the link from where you can do it –
http://kranti-india.ketto.org/kranti-for-girls
Within 15 hours, an organization with the name Kranti was successful in raising a lump sum amount of 5 lakh rupees. “This money will be used by Kranti to make a home for these girls in a space that’s currently unhygienic, dusty and in complete shambles. They all have to share one tiny bathroom which makes them late for school, there’s no proper construction — just bare, dilapidated walls with no beds.”
With all the political radicalism happening and the youth adapting a nihilistic approach to the political situation, it is so refreshing to see the hard work of the many NGOs bearing a sweet, sweet fruit. Organizations like Social Activities Integration (SAI), Kranti, Apne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC) provides rehabilitation to the children of distressed sex workers, gives them proper education and helps them become a part of the “normal” crowd and shows them a life out of the brothels.
Social establishments in the likes of the aforementioned come as a ray of hope to their bleak lives and extend a hand to them so that they get to live a proper and healthy life, reminding humanity that a bit of good exists amidst all the pessimism.
“Today, I’m a Teacher at Teach for India. I know and understand these children better than anyone, because I know what it’s like. So many of them come from troubled backgrounds, and I’m trying to give them the confidence to continue studying. So many times when I see them smiling at me, I feel relieved — but there’s so much more to do, not only for children like me but for those sex workers who more often than not don’t have a choice.” This simple statement by the unnamed daughter somehow acts as a reassurance that not everything is negative in the world. For every yin, there is a yang.
Read the articles foretasted here:
- https://www.facebook.com/188056068070045/photos/a.188058468069805.1073741828.188056068070045/398939610315022/?type=1&theater
- https://www.facebook.com/teachforindia/posts/10153514966028449
Note: Image used in this post is only for representational purposes.
