We spent the last five days in Dilli Haat, an open air food and craft bazaar located in Delhi. Here is one of the articles about it, “With an aim to spread more awareness about the issues, women and girls who have survived prostitution along with victims are participating in ‘Traffic Jam: Red Light Blues’, a five-day festival which began on November 1. The stall is showcasing exquisite handicrafts, artwork, jewellery, crafts, tribal foods and other products made by them.”

Each day two girls came from Dhrampura (along with some staff) and help set up the stall, sell items, do nail art and do beautiful menhdi. They earned money from what they made and sold and had so much fun at the fair.

Yesterday, I got into a discussion about if women truly have a choice to be in prostitution. There was an article recently in Guardian which was similar. That we should instead of “rescuing sex workers” empower them with dignity in their profession. While I am all for a women’s right to choose my experiences have taught me that you truly never know the story behind why they are choosing this as a profession. Curious of others thoughts along this? I think it’s never a first choice for a woman even if they say they want to be doing it. There is too much violence, stigma and usually they are just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. With the community we work with I have definitely found this to be the case. The women talk about how they are in control but there is a lot of domestic abuse. I have heard them say they want better for their daughters, yet they marry them and continue this. Because, they are making the best of their situation.

I think to affect any change in a community the people have to demand it themselves. You can’t force it upon them. In our case, this project came about because of a group of bold girls who were taking sewing classes in the Apne Aap centre asked for it. They had sold 10 kurtas locally and had asked questions about selling more but it was hard to accomplish in the local markets. After conversations and meetings with the girls, I formalized an IGP program for them to make and sell kurtas internationally. They still make fun of the word, “IGP” because they have never heard of that before but it exactly what they wanted. They wanted a choice for their futures and money for their families. They love sewing. They were the ones that made the decisions for what hours they wanted to work, what they wanted to make and who would be in the first class. They will be going to the markets with me and helping chose fabrics, this is their program. Many women and girls came in the beginning but when family or society begin to put pressure on them or in the case of with the girl who will be married in a few weeks, they have left. And, we have to let them go because we have to support them, help make them stronger, more confident but we can’t push too hard. It’s a fine balance right now and we have to work with the girls and families that really want this change for themselves. Empower those first and hopefully that will cause change. It will be a slow process but it will happen if they want it.

At the start of this year my goal was to have 10 women and girls earning money outside of prostitution and that is going to happen.

Pretty awesome.

-K

We have a building! In fact everything has fallen into place right on time.

Which is exactly how India works I being an American no matter how many years I have lived here stress out and all the Indians I work with, say “Kristin why are you so tense it will work out.” I think they are crazy. And then it does. Amazing. Love this crazy country.

This is actually happening… also we are now on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SewingNewFutures please like and share with your friends!

-K

As I explained before the IGP like any development work (or in general life in India) is full of highs and lows and today was no exception. Although the highs outweigh any lows.

Highs:

Met with the IGP girls and showed them the patterns. They were so excited! I’ll post some pictures soon of them looking at them. They each looked at each one, (tearing them apart like it was a present) and saying, “yeah, yeah” which I first started noticing today! I say, “yeah” all the time. It’s a horrible habit and the girls have picked it up. Instead of saying, “teek” now they are saying, “yeah”. Hilarious. They each picked their favorite designs that they are excited about and why. Every girl’s answer was different.  They then picked a name for their training class. The project name they know is “Sewing New Futures” but it’s in English and they don’t speak English. This is their training class and they need to pick a Hindi name that it just theirs. After many names and votes they decided on… Khusi! Which means happiness. I want this to be a happy safe space for them. So, I thought it was perfect. They looked at me for approval and I dramatically said, “mai baghut kush hu” I am very happy (which led to lots of giggles). Any time spend with them is the best. I have been really proud of them and can’t wait to see what the future brings for them. They are so ready to start as soon as the machines reach and we find the right space (yes still searching) we are starting seriously anyday!

Lows:

One of the girls who I was extremely excited to be part of this project is not allowed anymore. She is getting married this month. I am trying to remain positive about the situation. I went to her home today with one of the community mobilizers and we spoke to her mother about the potential of her joining after her marriage before she has a child. In this community when they have a child it is traditionally when they begin prostitution. She becomes very vulnerable prostitution after she is married (about 85% of the married women in the Perna community are in prostitution). We want one of the older girls who are either married or arranged to be married soon and are extremely vulnerable to take her place in the training program. It’s disappointing but you have to move forward and work with what you can with the circumstances.

All and all believe me today was definitely a great day and this program is going to start so soon and once it does everything will be just wonderful. There are many girls who literally can’t wait… and that makes me very happy and should make you happy too!

-K

11 days to go… and we still don’t have a building. I don’t know if you have had the pleasure of searching for buildings in India on an NGO budget but it is as pleasurable as getting a tooth pulled out. Yesterday, I went with the field staff, and our head of programs to look at the buildings they have found. They really have been trying so hard but due to many things it went like this:

“Too small. How are we going to fit sewing machines in here?”

“Too dark, no natural light. What’s going to happen during blackouts?”

“Too far away from the community.”

“This could work… oh already booked.”

It was defeating. But, I am determined to start this still in 11 days and so, I just feel the right space will happen. Although, it’s very rare to have something that fast (on my budget) happen in India so at this point I am banking on a small miracle. 

-K