Bina's story
Anu's story
My father died when I was 13, my widowed mother was left with little to take care of the family. My eldest brother had to work very hard in the field and we hardly had enough to eat. Very often, my mother would send me to my uncle to borrow flour. Each time, my uncle would make sarcastic remarks, “These people only borrow but never return”. I felt insulted and furious and determined that I would earn enough to repay whatever we had borrowed.
Shanti is my childhood friend and we often played together. I often told her about my dreams to earn money to support my family, to prove to others that we are not a burden. Though she was from a well to do family she promised to come with me on the day that a con man came to our village promising us that he would find us jobs in India. Without a second thought we followed him.
We were brought to Kolkata and sold in the red light area where we were forced to take clients at a young age.
Many times, I was betrayed and used by men in my life. I used to feel angry and hopeless, I tried to drown my sorrow and numb my feelings by drinking alcohol. Many who knew me then know that my lifestyle and language were bad. When Christians came to me, I despised and rejected them because I could not believe that there are sincere people who will care for me unconditionally.
Desiring to earn a decent earning, I followed my friend, Bina to Touch Nature. Since coming to Touch Nature, I came to know Jesus and His cleansing power. I am relieved that my sins are forgiven and I can now live a life with dignity.
Bina is a thoughtful and kind hearted lady. She is also a diligent and fast worker. As the only daughter in her family, Bina’s mother loved her very much and taught her to work with her hands from a young age. After her father passed away, Bina’s family was despised for being poor. Despite strong objections from her brothers, Bina started to work in Kathmandu in a carpet factory. But one day, her supervisor and his wife suggested she and 3 other co-workers go to India to work in the carpet factory there. Since 4 of them were going together, she felt quite comfortable.
However when Bina arrived in India, she was locked up in a room for several days and then made to dress in clothes that she would never have worn. It was the beginning of her nightmare of slavery. When she refused to obey, she was threatened with physical assault.
“I felt like I was held in the palm of the wicked ones and I could not escape from their clutches. After I came to know Jesus, I wanted to lead a life that is pleasing to Him but I could not because I had no means of escape and survival. Though I went to church every Sunday, I also continued in the trade. I prayed earnestly to God to help me to be freed from the clutches of my captors. For 3 years, I kept praying. On 14 May 2012, through the recommendation of a friend, I became the first staff with Touch Nature. I am very thankful to the Lord for setting me free. Now, I am able to live a life that honors God. I want to forget my past and focus on the future, to lead a life like a normal person. Here in Touch Nature, we are like family.
At 16, I was married to a younger boy who was 12 years old. I despised the marriage as I was not ready for it. I was looking for an opportunity to run away from a destiny I did not choose when a man approached me and promised to find me a job. I followed him but he shrewdly sold me in red light district.
After working for some years in the area, I got really sick and that is when I started to know Jesus. I experienced His miraculous power and healing hand. Deep down, I was grateful and wanted to follow Him forever. However due to my own weaknesses, I kept falling back into my old life. Until recently, when Touch Nature staff came to where I stayed and started a Christian fellowship in my house. I felt God leading me to get out of the trade. I am glad that there was a job opening at the beginning of this year and I could stop my sinful lifestyle. Now I am glad that I am able to learn skills and live a righteous life.
Sangeeta is a simple girl. She loves to drink tea and when she was offered one 30 years ago, she was drugged. While unconscious, she was brought to Kolkata where she was forced into the flesh trade at the age of 14.
When Sangeeta came to us, she was malnourished due to lack of food. Since she had passed her earning age, she struggled to provide for herself. Sometimes she would beg for food from her neighbors who might give her stale leftovers. Physically, she was also not well, with wounds on her body that did not heal well. When she started to get to know our staff, she asked for prayers and God started to heal her physically. When she joined us, she learnt to trust in God, that He would heal her and help her in her work too. She is now much happier as she has found her self-worth and is able to stand on her own feet.
Shanti is a very trusting and simple lady. She ran away with Anu when she was 14 and was sold into the flesh trade. She has a daughter, Reka whom she loves very much and hopes to give a future to so that she does not follow in her footsteps.
“I am not a smart person and have difficulty in learning but thank God that I am able to work with Touch Nature to learn skills so that I can earn a proper living. Without Touch Nature, it would be impossible for me to get a job in other places.”
“When we were staying in the red light district, I used to be afraid that my classmates would come to know where I lived. Where I used to stay is well known as the red light district in Kolkata. Women who are in the local flesh trade will dress up and sit in a line waiting for customers to pick them up. My mother used to be one of these women. I often felt embarrassed and shy to talk about my family. Now, I am glad that my mother is offered job with Touch Nature and that I can leave the red light district. I no longer have to worry if my friends find out where I stay.
I used to feel sad and unhappy because of my mother’s job. I felt that I did not have a reason to smile, but now I am different. I feel happy that I am able to lead life like other young people and have equal standing in society with them. Also, I have a big family at Touch Nature who cares for one another. ”
Sangeeta's story
Rita's story
Shanti's story
- Testimonies -
Rekha's (Shanti's daughter) story
