Kolkata, India
Summary
The Village Experience has been partnered with Women’s Interlink Foundation in Kolkata, India for many years. We whole-heartedly believe in their mission to prevent trafficking with the implementation of programs in source villages, such as Bolphur. We have witnessed their efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating young girls. Income-generating programs such as fair trade production, spice grinding, baking, block-printing, and others have given the girls an outlet for their frustrations and a means to beginning their life anew. The street kids drop-in centers around the city are designed to protect and create a safe space for young boys and girls living on the streets. We support the programs of this organization and find great joy in changing these young kids lives for the best.
Social Justice Education
Human-trafficking is a world-wide problem that effects the most vulnerable populations in the world. India serves as a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. A huge amount of public awareness and education is needed to tackle this problem and efforts to train law enforcement, judiciary, and healthcare workers is incredibly essential.
Past Accomplishments
The Village Experience has provided funding for a variety of programs with Women’s Interlink Foundation. We began with a complete overhaul of one of the jewelry centers at Child Care Home. We then built an additional floor to Nijuloy Home to provide for vocational skills training programs and additional dorms. In 2014, we built our first Community-based hotel in Bolphur in an effort to keep jobs in the village and prevent the mass exodus of young girls to the big cities…where they often fall victim to traffickers. We have also launched yoga programs at both shelter homes and fully funded 15 street kids programs throughout Kolkata. We have installed playgrounds at two rescue centers. We have supported the street kid drop-in centers and the red light district centers through administrative donations and supplies. We continue to fund the Keys to Freedom program through the purchase of needed sewing machines, blocks, fabric, and more.
Current Project Needs
Projects of this scale are in constant need of support for the amazing work they do on a daily basis. Maintenance of the rescue centers, red light district centers, and street kids drop-in centers is a huge expense each year. Programming and supplies are in constant need of support. Expansion of the community based tourism program and income-generating programs are a top priority for us.