Empowering Villages in Rural India

Semla, a small rural village in southern Rajasthan, is home to some extraordinary people. Earlier this year, village leaders and committee members of Semla rescued four children aged between 12 and 16 from being trafficked into child labour in the neighbouring state of Gujarat.

Child trafficking is a growing issue on the border between Rajasthan and Gujarat. Children are tricked into the hands of traffickers by being presented with a job opportunity, when in reality, upon arrival, they become enslaved and forced into begging, sexual exploitation, drug dealing or worse. Despite the determination of the children’s families and neighbours, sometimes they are unable to bring them back.

The children from Semla village were told that they could earn good money working in a cotton mill across the border in Gujarat and be able to send their wages back to their parents in Rajasthan. But they were lied to. They were forced to work long and hard hours, unable to contact their parents or the outside world. The community of Semla acted straight away after the children’s disappearance, contacting family, friends and other communities.

Eventually, through sheer determination, the village leaders were able to find out the location of the children and immediately contacted the owner of the mill, demanding to send them back home. He refused at first, until the village leaders threatened to contact the police, at which he sent the children back to their parents – with no wages for their work. Once the children reached the security of their families and homes, they spoke about how they were beaten during the time at the cotton factory.

Since their return, the children have returned to school, and the village leaders and committee members are now working to create awareness trainings and events to make families aware of the dangers of trafficking.

Thanks to the hard work of the village leaders and the committee members, who are facilitated and trained by Seva Mandir, the children were brought back home safely. We work with the village communities of southern Rajasthan to train them on the dangers and risks of trafficking, and what to do when it happens.

We would like to thank you for letting us meet our commitments in the field. All this has been possible due to your consistent support and trust in us.

Remember, together we can make a difference for these villages. We look forward to your continuous support. If your travel brings you to this part of the world, please do visit us.

Thank you

Atul Lekhra and the Seva Mandir Team

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Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
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