Childreach International will continue to work with India partner – Mahila Action Samity (MAS) – in 2011, providing children living in Visakahaptanam’s urban slums with an education and vocational training.

As well as directly pulling children out of child labour, MAS is raising awareness about child trafficking and continues to advocate for children’s right to education, food and a life free from mistreatment.

Childreach International has worked hand in hand with Mahila Action Samity for the past year and now, with your continued support, we’ve been able to continue our partnership. In 2011, we’ll work with them to reach more children who need guidance, opportunities and the choice to pick education or legal work instead of exploitation.

Below are the stories of two children who have shown incredible courage with the support of MAS. Both of them have reached out and claimed the opportunities they deserve.

Swetha's story

Swetha, 15, has had little support from her father growing up. After reaching “8^th standard” at school, her education was no longer affordable.

One day, Swetha went to her friend Sunitha’s house. Sunitha’s mother, Rani, left Sunitha at home and took Swetha to a hotel, where she was forced to have sex with a male “customer”. But Swetha managed to escape.

Not long after, Swetha’s mother fell ill and needed urgent, but costly, hospital treatment. To save her mother, Swetha believed she had no choice but to participate in sex work with Rani to pay for the hospital bills. After initial outrage at her daughter’s action, Swetha’s mother began to encourage her.

At this point Mahila Action Samity intervened. With the help of the media and police, MAS exposed Rani’s work and brought Swetha to the MAS office and shelter where children can stay until they have opportunity to work or return to school.

While there, Swetha was counselled and helped find a new job at a shopping mall. Mahila Action Samity will continue to keep a close eye on Swetha’s progress and protect her from any future exploitation.

Partners like Mahila Action Samity are continually working with their communities to reduce the number of children subject to exploitation. Each individual at Mahila Action Samity and every child they work with are actors of social change and at the forefront of child rights advocacy. And with your help, Childreach International will continue to support them.

This year, please give and help our partners continue reaching out to more children across their communities.

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