Khushi has finally found joy, which is what her name means

Daughters of women in prostitution live in highly dangerous environments of violence, trauma and abuse. Many of these children are kept drugged under the very beds upon which the trade is carried out. Perishing in hunger, neglect, illiteracy and hopelessness, these daughters long for the day their childhood would be theirs again.

Khushi is a five year old girl, who’s mother was sold into the sex trade. Her mother hails from West Bengal, and cannot even think of escaping from the red light district in Mumbai where she is forced to work. Though she knows she cannot escape her fate, Khushi’s mother wanted a better future for her daughter, and in December 2010 managed to smuggle her out of the red-light district, and leave her at Anandalay (Home of Joy), the shelter home run by Sahaara, for daughters of trafficked women.

At the outset, Khushi was emotionally reticent and struggled with separation anxiety. Her social interactions with the children were very limited. She was restricted even in her physical movement and would just limit herself to her bed and the dining table.

Within a fortnight, Khushi began to mingle with the children and started sharing her toys with them as well. With encouragement and love from the houseparents and children, Khushi began to enjoy her new life of freedom. In January 2011, Khushi was enrolled into the educational programme of one of India’s leading education service providers. Khushi thrived in the school environment and her report card brought joy to our hearts! She was judged “Excellent in studies, an obedient child and respectful towards elders” and was the only student selected to receive the “Award for Good Behaviour”!

In addition to achieving the aforementioned milestones, Khushi enjoyed activities like creative art and craft, sports and particularly looked forward to song and dance! Therefore, Khushi was absolutely delighted to be selected for the school’s Annual Day event! She was placed in a prominent position in the seven-member dance troupe as they performed for a thousand member audience! In the photograph you will see her dressed in the dance costume that she wore on the memorable day!

Currently she is enrolled in St Xaviers School, one of the top schools in the locality and she awaits the beginning of the new academic year. St. Xaviers School is a branch of Ryan Schools. Ryan Schools has strength of students of nearly 200,000 children with a nationwide spread, guided by eight thousand educators focussing on child-centered qualitative learning.

Truly, Anandalay has restored the joy of childhood to Khushi and she dares to dream of a better and a brighter future afforded by education.

Your generous donations of two months of tuition each, Joe, Janet and Kathy,  will enable Sahaara to bear the cost of tuition for Khushi, for half an academic year. Thanks to your support, Khushi will continue attending school, and honing her talents, thereby paving the way towards a self-reliant and bright future!

Thank you, for giving Khusi something to be happy about.