A True Tale from the Red-Light District
Savitha (not her real name) was a trafficked woman, ensnared in Mumbai's sex trade. The staff of Sahaara Charitable Society, a partner organization of India Partners, found Savitha. They built a relationship with her and, over time, instilled in her heart the desire to quit the trade and choose a life of freedom and dignity. Savitha wanted to leave prostitution, but could not bring herself to take the decisive step and exit the only world she knew. She stayed on the streets.
Then Savitha fell very ill. She remembered the kindness that the folks from Sahaara had extended to her, and so she asked for their help. Upon the persuasion of a former prostitute who had successfully left the trade, Savitha allowed Sahaara's staff to admit her to a local hospital, where they helped nurse her back to health. Witnessing God's love through these actions, and learning about God's love for her, Savitha accepted Jesus as her Savior! Even so, after she left the hospital, she returned to the sex trade—despite Sahaara's diligent efforts to persuade her come to their safe house. Sahaara staff maintained close contact with her. However, within a month, there was a new development: Savitha went missing. All attempts to locate her were unsuccessful.
Then one afternoon, on a dingy, dusty road that led to the red-light district, a Sahaara staff member noticed the figure of a visibly sick woman hunched over on the roadside. It was Savitha. When Savitha saw the Sahaara staffer, Savitha burst into tears, regretting that she had spurned Sahaara's helping hand. Again, she was admitted to the hospital where medical treatments were given. Again, Sahaara staff cared for her, day and night. But Savitha's health was failing. A heartbreaking moment occurred when Savitha pleaded to the Sahaara staff at her bedside, "I want to live longer. Please take me to your safe home now." She had finally decided to leave the sex trade!! But it was too late. Two days later, Savitha died peacefully on her hospital bed, with dignity, Sahaara staff by her side.
Savitha's cruel life and her needless death are tragic. But despite her fate, a new chapter is unfolding for her two children. Savitha was the mother of a boy and a girl. If she died, these two innocents would become Mumbai orphans, subject to prying pimps. Seeing Savitha's deteriorating condition, the Sahaara staff secured the legal papers for the release and care of Savitha's children. Savitha's son now lives in Sahaara's Mahima Home for boys, full of promise, hope and opportunity. Her daughter is out of the would-be clutches of the pimps and lives safely in a home for destitute girls. Savitha may not have enjoyed an abundant life, but her two children are waiting to fulfill, if not surpass, every unuttered dream in their mother's heart!
Please help rescue other “Savithas” of Mumbai before it's too late. Donate generously now to help stop human trafficking in India. Thank you and God bless you.
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By the Numbers:
These numbers have faces and names. Every statistic represents a real person who, just like you and me, is created and loved by God.
From a 2004 study by the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, of commercial sex workers in Mumbai:
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Prayer Points
- This is dangerous work. Pray for the protection of Sahaara staff as they move about Mumbai's darkest areas and meet with people on the fringes of society.
- The female sex workers are very vulnerable —not only because of their gender, but in terms of health and potential exposure to HIV. Pray for their safety, for their healing and full restoration.
- We know of two young girls who were drugged at night and kept under their mother's bed during working hours. Pray for children like these who are subject to unimaginable cruelties.
- How ambitious can we be? Let's continue to pray for the women and children caught up in the sex trade, but why not ask God to dramatically impact the lives of pimps and brothel owners as well?
Photos:
† Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department
* sandrinecohen22, available under a Creative Commons attribution—non-commercial license.
‡ © 2008 John Hurd. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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