Light House, September - October 2024

September & October Newsletter 2024

As we approach the end of this year, we reflect with gratitude on all the support of Revival Fires extended to our Anti-Slavery Project here in India. With your generosity, we can impact lives and drive transformation. A change that the world often deems impossible is made possible through the healing and restoration we bring, anchored in the love of Jesus.

Update on the Current Batch of Survivors:

We are overjoyed to share that all three at-risk girls and one survivor have completed their three-month theoretical training and have been selected for On-the-Job Training in reputable companies in Mumbai, Kerala, and Udaipur, with a monthly stipend of ₹8,000. Upon completion of their training, based on performance, they will receive permanent employment. Our team worked tirelessly to coordinate travel and placement logistics, and thanks to your support, we were able to cover their flight tickets, ensuring their safe arrival. We check in with the girls weekly to assist with their transition to a new environment and we keep their families updated on their progress.

Update on Economic Empowerment:

Skill training is a cornerstone of our economic empowerment program. Many of the women and girls we work with are school dropouts from marginalized communities, where women and girls often lack the support needed to realise their dreams. At Light House Disha, we are committed to addressing the intertwined issues of human trafficking and bonded labour—from prevention to providing comprehensive support to survivors. Through practical, job-ready training, we empower them to build sustainable livelihoods and escape cycles of exploitation.

Updates on the Mentorship Program:

Many of the women and girls who come to us carry heavy burdens from their past—stories of abuse, exploitation, and abandonment. Every story is unique, and the journey toward healing can feel daunting. Yet, time and again, through divine intervention, we see breakthroughs that once seemed impossible. We witness daily transformations and moments of hope that remind us of the importance of this mission.

There are times we want to retreat to easier paths, yet the Holy Spirit gently reminds us that this is a fight worth enduring—for justice, freedom, and the empowerment of those who cannot fight for themselves. Spiritual mentorship remains a foundational pillar of our restoration programs. We focus on emotional, physical, and spiritual healing, prayer, counselling, and trauma-informed conversations that bring comfort and perspective. We present the Gospel as a gift of hope, and although some resist it due to cultural beliefs, we share truth with love. This year, along with program completion certificates, we gifted Bibles to the graduates as tokens of encouragement and faith.

Update on Sewing/Tailoring Training:

We continue to provide basic tailoring training to all survivors and at-risk women in our care. Sarah and her son, who have been able to rebuild their lives with your support, are now advancing in tailoring classes. Sarah has even started sharing her skills with other survivors at the center. We have also secured a spot for her son in a government school for the next academic session, and our social worker continues to tutor him at the center.

Sarah receives weekly Bible study guidance from our social worker, and we’re encouraged by her spiritual growth. With donor support, we continue offering survivors like Sarah and her son access to quality training, education, and spiritual mentorship.

Update on Placement of Newly Rescued Survivors:

According to recent reports, North Bengal remains a critical region for human trafficking in India, with persistent cases of both labour and sex trafficking. The U.S. Department of State’s 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report noted significant challenges across India. In regions like North Bengal, where trafficking networks exploit young girls from economically vulnerable communities. 

Despite official efforts, trafficking persists due to gaps in legal and rehabilitation frameworks, coupled with a low conviction rate for traffickers. Data from this report identified over 6,000 trafficking victims across India in 2022 alone, with an estimated high number of these cases concentrated in West Bengal.

In recent years, there have also been targeted initiatives to combat trafficking in Bengal, such as awareness programs and community interventions aimed at young girls. Yet, the widespread use of coercion and bonded labour highlights ongoing vulnerabilities, especially for young women and girls forced into various forms of exploitation due to socio-economic pressures.

Through our longstanding partnerships with the BSF (Border Security Force) at the Indo-Bangladesh border and the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) at the Indo-Nepal border, we receive referrals for placing survivors rescued by their teams. We are immensely grateful to God for these connections that allow us to support newly rescued girls in their journey to healing.

Meet Roshni (pseudonym used)

Roshni was rescued by the BSF after an investigation by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU). A missing complaint had been filed by her family, which led to locating the suspect. Roshni was rescued just before being trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation, thanks to the swift actions of the BSF and the local police. After legal procedures, she was placed in a government shelter and then transferred to our restoration center. Here, Roshni is undergoing skill training, education, and trauma counselling as she rebuilds her life.

Meet Priyanka (pseudonym)

Priyanka’s case is another sobering reminder of the dangers of online exploitation. She was groomed by a trafficker posing as a friend on social media. When she left her home, her family filed a missing complaint, which eventually led to her rescue in Bihar. During her ordeal, Priyanka faced confinement, manipulation, and abuse. Now, she is safely in our care, where we are helping her begin her journey toward healing and empowerment.

These stories are not isolated; they reflect the harsh reality that many young girls and women face in India. Fortunately, with your support, we can continue fighting human trafficking and offering survivors a future filled with dignity, freedom, and hope. Our programs provide pathways to economic empowerment and healing from the trauma of exploitation. Sadly, stigma remains a barrier for many girls, who often face societal pressure and judgment upon returning home. Some are hastily married off, with the hope of restoring “family honor.” These outdated practices only deepen the scars on young lives.

We are grateful for the opportunity to stand in the gap for these survivors and to bring meaningful change to their lives.

If you want to join us in bringing young girls like Poonam and Pallavi and countless others out of darkness and into restoration, please consider supporting our mission. With your contributions, we can continue providing safe spaces, skill development, and the promise of a second chance.

As we look ahead to next month, we are excited to update you on the orientation, training, counseling, and progress of newly placed survivors. Please keep us in your prayers as we walk with them in faith, witnessing how God transforms not only their hearts but also their futures.

Psalm 82:3-4 (NIV): "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Thank you for standing with us in this fight for freedom, justice, and hope.

My Health Update

Thank you for your unwavering support and prayers for my ongoing treatment in Mumbai. Your generosity has made it possible for me to access the most advanced treatment available, and I am deeply grateful. Currently, I'm on a new treatment plan involving oral chemotherapy, which requires close monitoring with blood tests every 7–14 days. 

There are difficult days when I feel exhausted and tempted to give up, but I hold onto the promise that the Lord will never leave or forsake me. His presence in my life gives me strength and reminds me of my purpose—not only to live a healthy, joyful life but also to continue impacting the lives of countless women and girls. My journey is about more than just survival; it’s about inspiring change and hope through my story.

Thank you for rooting for me. Your prayers mean the world and help me remain steadfast in God’s promises for my life.

Thank you for everything Revival Fires Family!