By Sumitra Mishra | Project Leader
Dear Global Givers!
Thank you!
You Global Givers have catapulted us to another game changing milestone – we’ve launched a nationwide research to trace the status of missing children, thanks to your support! Children who’ve gone invisible in the dark recesses of brothels, brick kilns, sweatshop factories, begging syndicates and as child bride slaves, have an opportunity to tell their horror story, because someone is now looking out for those undocumented missing children.
Sonu (name changed) is 14 years old. She was recently traced from her village in West Bengal and rescued from her trafficker–pimp in New Delhi. When she came in to the safe shelter home she was drugged, incoherent and under serious mental trauma. And she was carrying a baby in her arms – her eight month old son! She was malnourished, had bruises all over her body and turned violent when an adult approached her or attempted to comfort the baby. She was a frail, damaged child holding on to another under nourished child.
By signing up to the Every8Minutes campaign, you are sending your strength and your voice to every child like Sonu who is waiting to be rescued. iPartner India works closely with local NGOs and government agencies to rescue children, provide immediate medical care, legal protection, long term healing, nutrition, education and a chance to reclaim their rights as children.In the last five years iPartner India has saved the lives of 20,250 child trafficking victims in 11 states in India.
Sonu and her baby have spent the last two months at the Delhi based shelter home and its impact is already visible on them. The little boy cries less now, is taken care of by his large extended family of other residents in the home and is showing signs of healthy development. Sonu on the other hand is still wary, has bursts of temper and mostly stays withdrawn. But the best thing is she no longer resists participating in the activities of the home. And is even beginning to share some chores! Sonu is receiving treatment for her various infections and illnesses. She has to go to the courts every fortnight to record her story. Sonu has a long time before she discovers she is still a child.
We are determined to give Sonu all the time she needs to heal herself and plan a future for herself. We are determined to find those children who are not as lucky as Sonu is now. And we can only do this with your support.
Thank you for making this your personal commitment. Thank you for asking your friends to support you in this cause.
Yours truly,
iPartner India team
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