“ I am so happy to be here. I go to school and feel loved by my friends, by the Sisters and Fathers. I have a family today. I feel free and proud ! ….”
As she spoke Prathy's face shone with a radiant smile. She is 16 years old and she joined VALSALYA BHAVAN ( our home for girls) when she was just nine. I call her Prathy which is an abbreviation for ‘ prathyasha, meaning HOPE.
Prathy was rescuded from child labour and unlawful confinement by our staff and produced before the city magistrate and handed over to us for her care and protection. It was in 2004.
Prathy is a leader today among her companions. She is diligent in her studies. She is compassionate, cheerful, sensitive, responsible and it is a sheer joy to be with her.
Prathy was sold by her mother when she was an infant for a petty sum of Rs. 100.00 ( $2.25 ) after her father abandoned them soon after she was born. Prathy was sold again when she was about five years old for a higher price to another family where she was forced to do lots of hard work, physically abused and locked up in a dog’s kennel when her employers left for work. The rest can only be imagined!
Prathy is with us for the past seven years and we feel proud to be able to help her grow up to be someone who will make a difference in the life of others. I am sure she will be an asset wherever she is. She is a child of promise, of hope!
We have started the construction of a home for girls after wandering for 14 years! Our dream of offering girls like Prathy a decent home is becoming a reality. You are invited to be part of this noble venture.
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