Monday morning took us to Sonagacchi which is the largest and most infamous district in Kolkata. Over 10,000 women are said to work standing in line, or ' on the line' as it is referred to, selling their bodies to thousands of men who visit there every day.
Many of these women have been trafficked from rural areas of India and Bangladesh and others have just found themselves with no other option in order to put food on the table.
Freeset began productivity in 2001 with just 20 workers and was founded by Kerry and
Annie Hilton who came over to Kolkata from New Zealand in 1999 and moved into the Sonagacchi area.They quickly realsed the immense need and their vision of Freeset was born. They now employ over 200 female workers making jute bags and tshirts for the export market.
We were given a tour of the facilities by Dave from the UK who was working as a volunteer with Freeset. The women are trained in a variety of skills and we saw a number of them sewing, screen printing, finishing and making the plaited handles for the bags.
Each day begins with a worship session for the staff. All the workers and all the workers have health insurance and a pension plan. There is also an on-site nursery providing care for up to around 40 children.
We finished our tour the tiny shop and we were able to purchase a few pieces.
It was a real privilege to see behind the scenes of Freeset. Their vision isn't complete yet as their aim is to expand and be able to help many more women caught up in this horrendous industry. It is a start though.
We were not permitted to take any photos understandably however the women looked happy, safe and well provided for. Whilst it is a drop in the ocean with regard to helping the vast number of women caught up in the sex industry it was so encouraging to have this opportunity to visit.The bag I bought yesterday will now have more meaning to me now and will be a constant reminder of the incredible work that is taking place in Sonagacchi.
Many of these women have been trafficked from rural areas of India and Bangladesh and others have just found themselves with no other option in order to put food on the table.
Freeset began productivity in 2001 with just 20 workers and was founded by Kerry and
Annie Hilton who came over to Kolkata from New Zealand in 1999 and moved into the Sonagacchi area.They quickly realsed the immense need and their vision of Freeset was born. They now employ over 200 female workers making jute bags and tshirts for the export market.
We were given a tour of the facilities by Dave from the UK who was working as a volunteer with Freeset. The women are trained in a variety of skills and we saw a number of them sewing, screen printing, finishing and making the plaited handles for the bags.
Each day begins with a worship session for the staff. All the workers and all the workers have health insurance and a pension plan. There is also an on-site nursery providing care for up to around 40 children.
We finished our tour the tiny shop and we were able to purchase a few pieces.
It was a real privilege to see behind the scenes of Freeset. Their vision isn't complete yet as their aim is to expand and be able to help many more women caught up in this horrendous industry. It is a start though.
We were not permitted to take any photos understandably however the women looked happy, safe and well provided for. Whilst it is a drop in the ocean with regard to helping the vast number of women caught up in the sex industry it was so encouraging to have this opportunity to visit.The bag I bought yesterday will now have more meaning to me now and will be a constant reminder of the incredible work that is taking place in Sonagacchi.
In response to your's and Charlotte's excellent blogs... What a positive and encouraging experience for you all to visit Freeset and to see such great work they are doing to help. Keeping you all in our prayers. Love & God bless, xxx :-).
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much for all your encouraging words. They have meant so much xx
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