Help Ajeet Singh free women and children from sex trade. Donate now

Farida, the daughter of two poor labourers of the Varanasi district in Uttar Pradesh, was only 13 when she was abducted on her way to school by two men. She was taken 1500 kms away from home to Telangana and was raped and beaten multiple times to force her into prostitution. While worried parents went to file a complaint, the police took two days to file an FIR. After getting threats from the suspects for filing the case, the terrified family approached Ajeet Singh of the NGO, Guria.

For Ajeet Singh, every girl he rescues from prostitution is like his own child. “We do everything possible to rescue a girl and convict the brothel keeper and the trafficker. What will you do to take care of your own child? Won’t you hold them safe with both hands, do everything possible to protect them? Won’t you take a bullet for your child?” asks Ajeet Singh, Founder, Guria. 

Ajeet was just like a father. Guria approached the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and other higher authorities. Guria’s legal team filed petitions for speedy investigation and trial of the accused, while also making efforts to rescue Farida. Guria was able to bring back a traumatised Farida to her parents, and also fight to keep the accused in jail despite they belonging to a powerful family. The trial is currently on in a special POCSO court in Varanasi. Thanks to counselling and support from Guria, Farida is a confident girl. Now 16, she is preparing for her 10th board exams and following her dreams.

Based out of Varanasi, considered to be one of the holiest places in India, Guria fights against sexual exploitation of girls, especially minors, through rescue and rehabilitation. The organisation’s aim is to eliminate human trafficking, second-generation prostitution and child prostitution, and rehabilitate women and girls who are rescued from the trade. But fighting the good fight has not been easy for Guria due to a lack of funds Ajeet is finding it difficult to continue providing education, food, vocational training and legally help survivors against traffickers and brothel keepers. 

The advent of war against trafficking

Ajeet was only 17-years-old when he made it his life's mission to stand up for girls who are trafficked or forced into prostitution. This was way back in 1988 after he saw guests passing lewd remarks at a nautch girl in his cousin's wedding. Two years later, he adopted the woman's three kids, ending her next generation taking to prostitution. 

Ajeet had laid out his organisation's blueprint. 

Started in 1993, Guria has rescued over 5500 persons from slavery, sex trafficking, child prostitution and, helped shut down 260 illegal brothels and convicted 121 traffickers.

Apart from rescuing girls, the Guria also works towards witness protection, helping survivors through mock trials, counselling, rehabilitation, education, and vocational training to switch to other professions.

A new lease of life for flesh trade survivors

“We have an education center in the heart of the red-light district of Varanasi because we don’t want second-generation prostitution to happen. We take up tuition classes and vocational training classes and pay the fees for children who get admitted to mainstream schools. This effort has helped us create the first child prostitution-free red-light area of India at Varanasi,” says Ajeet. 

Over the years, Ajeet has taken on powerful people on behalf of victims and won many battles. But he is not sure how long Guria can keep fighting human traffickers and bring help to the trafficked minors, sex workers and their children as Guria is slowly losing its capacity to rescue, accommodate and rehabilitate due to a lack of funds. Ajeet wants to continue his mission to ensure no girl gets forced into this dark sex trade, but he cannot do it without your help.

With 9,300 direct and 46,700 indirect beneficiaries, the organisation needs around ₹4.6Cr of funds a year to meet all its expenses and operate smoothly. 

Your contributions will help Guria provide:

• Books & stationery for children attending mainstream schools in red light areas
• Nutritional support to at-risk children of sex workers
• Vocational training/livelihood support to at-risk children of the red light areas and vulnerable villages that openly practice prostitution
• Legal help to fight traffickers and brothel keepers in 21 focused districts and reaching nine states to rescue 
• Sensitisation of police/media/advocates/judiciary /NGOs/ other stakeholders
• Awareness campaigns against human trafficking and rape (theater, concert, street plays, village meetings, folk music etc.)

You can help Guria end child prostitution and guide rescued girls and children, kids of sex workers, to a life of dignity, respect and equal rights. Donate now.