WHILE much has been debated and discussed about the women ensnared in the vicious cycle of forced prostitution, an equally heart-wrenching story, which often goes unnoticed, is that of their children, the silent sufferers. Their voices are often muffled, their lives shadowed by the brutalities their mothers face, and their futures jeopardised even before they get a chance to start. Girish Kulkarni, observed the plight and agony of children stuck in brothels while growing up near the red light areas of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Moved by his experiences as a child, Girish started taking small efforts to improve the lives of these children, giving them meals and by teaching them for a couple of hours everyday. Gradually, the number of children coming to him grew and in 1987 he founded an NGO and named it Snehalaya which roughly translates to ‘A home of love’. If you wish to know more about the NGO and support Girish’s mission click the link.

Breaking the cycle of violence and exploitation

Children born to women involved in the flesh trade are unwittingly pushed into a world plagued by violence, abuse, and neglect. These children witness firsthand the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse their mothers undergo, leaving deep emotional and psychological scars. Often, these children become direct victims of violence and exploitation, with a majority being pushed into the trade themselves.

Girish and his team have tried to break this chain of intergenerational trauma and abuse by rescuing children of sex workers and underaged victims of sex trade. His NGO Snehalaya operates two shelter homes for these children giving them the love and care they were deprived of at brothels and red light areas. The NGO takes care of all the needs of these children from nutrition and medication to shelter and education. 

Their care homes are sanctuaries where children are showered with love, care, and understanding. These homes are more than just brick and mortar; they are spaces where children heal, dream, and grow. Abandonment of infants has also been recognised as a serious issue in and around red light areas. Understanding the gravity of this problem Snehalaya also set up an infant home to provide care to abandoned babies.

Restoring a normal childhood through education

Amidst the bleak surroundings of brothels and the constant flux of strangers, these children are robbed of a normal childhood. The laughter, play, and innocence, which are the rights of every child, are replaced with fear, trauma, and vulnerability. Educational opportunities remain a distant dream. Without schools or learning resources, they are denied the foundation necessary to break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Without education, they are robbed of all possibilities of breaking free from hellish brothels.

Snehalaya’s schools provide children holistic education, ensuring they receive the foundational knowledge that most children did not receive. The children are not only educated academically but are given a comprehensive learning experience to nurture their talents and interests. One of Snehalaya’s schools has even been shortlisted in the list of world’s best schools by T4 Education, a renowned ratings organisation.

Moreover vocational training programs are provided to equip children with skills that pave the way for employment and self-sufficiency. Their computer training centre has proved to be a huge success giving children access to computer literacy that would have otherwise been a mere dream.

Bridging the healthcare gap

A large percentage of these children, through no fault of their own, are born HIV positive. This is a reflection of the pervasive unprotected sexual practices in flesh trade. Without access to timely medical care or unawareness of their condition, these young lives are constantly at risk. Basic treatment, let alone comprehensive healthcare, remains out of reach for most, leading to untimely deaths or a compromised quality of life. Given the high risk of HIV/AIDS and other medical issues among children, Snehalaya has established medical centres that offer both regular check-ups and specialised treatments. They ensure that every child under their care has access to the medical attention they deserve. HIV+ children who were often deprived of even essential medication like ART today have access to advanced healthcare facilities through the Caring Friends Hospital run by Snehalaya.

Healing Emotional Scars

Going beyond just providing physical well-being and care, Snehalaya has launched multiple interventions to heal the deep emotional and psychological scars these children bear, The NGO organises frequent counselling sessions, and group therapies not just for children but for their mothers as well. These sessions help the children process their trauma, rebuild their self-esteem, and give them the confidence to see a brighter tomorrow.

In a world rife with challenges and darkness, organisations like Snehalaya stand as testaments to humanity’s capacity for kindness, empathy, and positive change. Their relentless efforts to uplift, educate, and nurture the children of women involved in the flesh trade offer hope in the face of adversity.

The challenges facing the children of women involved in the flesh trade are immense. Simply recognizing their suffering and the multilayered issues they grapple with is the first step towards intervention. It is imperative that we, as a society, extend our support and resources to ensure their physical safety, psychological well-being, educational upliftment, and medical care. These children deserve more than the shadows the live in. 

By supporting organisations like Snehalaya, through donations or simply by spreading the word, one can play a pivotal role in ensuring these children receive the love, care, and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

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