Organization: Destiny Foundation (India)
Graduation Year: 2010
Entry Title: Liberation of the SOLD Soul: Economic Empowerment and Social Reintegration of Human and Sex Trafficking Survivors
Entry Description:
My vision is to become a capable leader and a social entrepreneur, helping every woman achieve equity in a global society so that they are respected and not treated as commodities.
The business model of our organization is founded upon the principle of social entrepreneurship. We empower the survivors of human trafficking and also the ones at high risk to safeguard themselves and their next generation from exploitation. We foster skill development in conjunction with meaningful and well-paid employment opportunities.
Survivors are trained in making high quality fashion accessories, which are sold in the local and global market through Destiny Reflection's network. We provide buyers with dual opportunities to benefit: 1) purchasing a quality product, and: 2) supporting liberated women and girls. Destiny Reflection believes in self-sustainability of one's existence and we are committed to help every women come out of shelter home prepared to create her own honorable "Destiny".
The goal of Destiny Reflection is to socially reintegrate 20 rescued victims of sex trafficking by December 2012 into mainstream society. To accomplish this, our challenge would be to expand organizational infrastructure and capacity. We need more partnerships and more network building to help remove these victims from poverty, offering dignified and sustainable solutions to eliminate lifelong slavery.
My approach towards the mission has broadened, allowing me to encompass more people in my journey and enabling my organization and me to be more powerful to achieve our mission. I have seen myself overcome boundaries and push limits several times.
I have successfully reintegrated 30 young women survivors from ages 16 to 25 years into mainstream society, among which at least 10 women have started their own businesses. Some have gotten married.
- For example, a 19-year-old rescued woman with a three-year old child from her enslaved time is now free. She is an employee of Destiny Reflection earning a salary and looking forward to fulfilling her dream with the child.
- A 38-year-old woman, who had been enslaved in a brothel for 15 years, worked with Destiny Reflection and left the brothel, moving to a women hostel and later re-united with her family after 15 years.
I have become better at networking which helped me build and strengthen the global network of partners who support my organization and the women we serve. Destiny Reflection has build partnerships locally and globally with several corporate and social enterprises like Hyatt Regency and other local and international brands.
